FYI: A fire erupted at Rivian’s Normal, Illinois factory parking lot, damaging over 50 electric vehicles awaiting shipment.
Rivian Factory Blaze Damages Multiple EVs
A fire at Rivian’s production facility in Normal, Illinois this past weekend has resulted in significant damage to over 50 electric vehicles. The models involved, specifically the R1S and R1T, were reportedly awaiting shipment to customers.
Incident Details
The Normal Fire Department received the emergency call on Saturday night just before 9:45 PM, as confirmed by NFD spokesperson Matt Swaney to 25NewsNow. Although the blaze damaged numerous vehicles, the factory itself, which assembles all current Rivian models and is preparing to begin production of the upcoming R2 SUV, was unscathed.
Firefighting Effort and Aftermath
Firefighters successfully extinguished the blaze by midnight Sunday, with crews remaining on-site to monitor for any potential flare-ups. Remarkably, no injuries were reported, indicating swift and effective emergency response efforts.
An aerial photo shared on a Facebook group showcased 57 damaged vehicles clustered in a corner of the factory’s parking lot, adjacent to the industrial train rails. The impacted vehicles were confined to the R1S and R1T models.
Investigation Underway
Currently, the cause of the fire remains undetermined. Swaney confirmed that an investigation is in progress to identify the origin of the blaze. We have reached out to Rivian for further details and will update this article as more information becomes available.
Previous Incidents and EV Fire Risks
Just last month, three Rivian Amazon Electric Delivery Vans (EDVs) caught fire at an Amazon fulfillment center in Houston, Texas. That incident was determined to be unrelated to the high-voltage battery.
Studies reveal that electric vehicle fires are less common compared to those involving combustion engines. However, once ignited, EV blazes can be significantly more hazardous and challenging to extinguish, especially if fire departments lack the specialized equipment required. Additionally, there is a known risk of an EV fire reigniting post-extinguishment, necessitating continued monitoring by fire crews.
Conclusion
This recent incident highlights the ongoing challenges and risks associated with electric vehicle fires. As Rivian and other manufacturers advance their electric vehicle technologies, the imperative to enhance safety protocols remains paramount. For more insights and updates, reach out to us at tips@automotive.fyi, or on Twitter @automotivefyi.
William Kouch
Editor of Automotive.fyi
