EV Catches Smoke During Charging, Owner Evacuates; Experts Warn of Fast-Charging Risks

Recently, a new energy vehicle emitted thick smoke from its undercarriage while using a DC fast charger at a public charging station. The driver promptly noticed the issue and quickly evacuated the scene, resulting in no injuries. At the time of the incident, the vehicle had been connected to a public DC fast charging pile and exhibited abnormalities shortly after charging began. Experts noted that during DC fast charging, the high-voltage traction battery operates under high-voltage, high-current conditions, significantly increasing heat generation within the battery cells. This poses a heightened risk of localized overheating or electrical faults—particularly in older vehicles or those with degraded batteries—which can lead to smoking or even fire. Regarding safety guidelines during charging, experts recommend that drivers and passengers should not remain inside the vehicle during DC fast charging. This is especially critical when the battery state of charge drops below 20%, as internal resistance rises, potentially multiplying thermal stress from fast charging. Risks further escalate in environments such as high-temperature, direct sunlight exposure or enclosed underground charging stations. Although home AC slow charging generates less heat, if occupants must stay inside the vehicle, windows should be slightly opened for ventilation, and high-power electrical devices like air conditioning or seat heaters must not be used, as additional loads could cause abnormal temperature increases in the battery cells. To ensure charging safety, users should inspect the charging port for water ingress, damage, or foreign objects before plugging in and prioritize using charging piles certified to national standards. If a burning smell or smoke is detected during charging, users should immediately press the emergency stop button on the charging station and evacuate to a location at least 50 meters away. They must not attempt to open the battery cover or extinguish the fire themselves. Additionally, outdoor fast charging should be avoided during extreme weather conditions such as high heat or thunderstorms, and charging stations with significant water accumulation should be temporarily taken out of service.