1st EV Fire In Malaysia, Grey Import Tesla Model Y - Region Suitability Questioned!

An avid reader of CariCarz yesterday shared a series of video and images (which has since went viral) of a Tesla Model Y on flames at Puchong Jaya nearby the Jalan Layang Layang 2 area.

From what we at CariCarz can gather, this is the very first EV related fire in the country and involves a grey import Tesla Model Y. A reader who is also an avid EV enthusiast informed us that this could be due to certain EV models in Malaysia are not suitable to be used here as it features a differing coolant chemistry based from the region of origin.

CariCarz confirmed this detail with a representative from Tesla Motor Malaysia (TMM) and Singapore where he mentioned that grey import Tesla repair support in Malaysia would depend on the availability of parts as some parts on the local Tesla models differ from vehicles made for other region in terms of coolant, air-conditioning gas, compressor, and so on.

Having said that, based on the images and video it is quite clear that the fire originated from the front left corner of the vehicle indicating that it would most probably not be related to the EV drive battery. Rumours are circulating it might have involved the auxiliary 12V battery due to faulty wiring from fitment of accessories or modification.

At the time of writing there has so far been no further development of information from the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM). More update will be disseminated when we receive further details on the fires cause and origin as we are sure JBPM would look into this matter in depth as they have been the most critical towards the development of electric vehicle charging bays (EVCB) in Malaysia and have single handedly slowed down all legislation processes by PLANMalaysia. 

Update:

Assistant Director of Operations, Ahmad Mukhlis Mokhtar from The Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) has confirmed that a Tesla parked at the parking lot in Puchong Jaya caught fire by itself (no arson this time around).

Seven (7) JBPM personnel and two (2) fire engines responded to the emergency call at 8.32PM. Upon arrival the Tesla was 70% engulfed in flames with no casualties reported. The fire was put out using a water supply line from the fire engine's tank successfully.

JBPM however does not provide any comment on how the incident happened as the case has been handed over to the forensic department for further investigation.