Fisker Hybrids Get Bad Karma From Superstorm Sandy 414
New submitter slas6654 writes with this excerpt from Jalopnik: "Approximately 16 of the $100,000+ Fisker Karma extended-range luxury hybrids were parked in Port Newark, New Jersey last night when water from Hurricane Sandy's storm surge apparently breached the port and submerged the vehicles. As Jalopnik has exclusively learned, the cars then caught fire and burned to the ground.' Apparently Fiskar super-duty lithium ion batteries are neither water-proof or water soluble."
Why does this matter? (Score:3, Insightful)
The cars were totalled the minute they were submerged. If they were destroyed later, why does that matter?
Re:Why does this matter? (Score:0, Insightful)
Because each vehicle could have had a bankster CEO at the wheel as they burned down, doing us all a favor.
Instead, we just got a waste of some nice cars.
Hopefully the next hurricane will do a better job of cleaning up the criminal capital of the US.
Re:Why does this matter? (Score:5, Insightful)
You can drive them if you want, I will not be.
A flooded car is a totaled car. No cars on the market are built for that.
I am not going to be buying a flooded car or any other R title.
Misleading? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Why pick on EVs? (Score:5, Insightful)
Because most cars don't burst into flame when submerged.
Re:Someone forgot to test (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Why pick on EVs? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Huge problem in Texas - flash floods on the roa (Score:2, Insightful)
The point of "flash" in flash flood is that it happens extremely rapidly - one doesn't exactly plan ahead for it.
Re:Someone forgot to test (Score:4, Insightful)
"submerged in salt water" is a whole other beast. A nasty one.
Re:Top Gear says your wrong (Score:3, Insightful)
Totaled does not mean not working. It means worthless.
That Hilux was rendered worthless. I would not want to drive it nor would Toyota suggest anyone drive it after that treatment.
Re:Why does this matter? (Score:4, Insightful)
How about building burns down because water main break cased water to pour into the underground parking garage and onto an electric car that burst into flames?
Or how about Man burns to death as firefighters point out there isn't much point putting water on a car which is on fire because it slid into a pond, became submerged and is burning.
Or maybe, Two first responders were injured after a car erupted in fire because it started raining while they were tending to an accident.
I know a parked car without anyone around doesn't pose much of a threat. But I think in reality, that situation happens as much as or less then when it could be a threat to human life or property. So finding out why is somewhat of a concern I would think.
Re:Why does this matter? (Score:5, Insightful)
why does that matter?
There is an important difference between "totalled" and "erupt into a 1350 deg. C toxic lithium fire." Traditional gas/diesel cars don't usually do that when flooded, so a new and dramatic failure mode has been revealed. Something to note if you live in New Orleans or parts of Texas that see frequent flash floods and perhaps not the best thing to park in your integral garage.
You didn't really fail to understand this did you? You'd just rather people not discuss concerns that emerge with the things you prefer.
Re:Someone forgot to test (Score:5, Insightful)
Only if you're not burning coal or oil to generate the electricity to charge that EV... Just sayin'.
Re:Superstorm? (Score:5, Insightful)
As someone who also lives in Florida, I can explain.
1. Very little preparation for the type of weather that a hurricane can cause. In Florida, we have storm drains that take away most of the water that a hurricane causes. Add in building codes that require buildings to be designed for hurricanes (typically category 3) and utilities that are designed specifically for hurricanes, and you'll find that down here, things are pretty robust by design. New Jersey and New York didn't have that type of preparation and you had buildings collapse.
2. Record storm surges. In some places, the storm surge was over 13 feet where the harbor was only designed to handle the (then historic record) 12 feet, causing massive flooding.
3. Fires. Gas lines caught fire, causing over 100 homes to burn to the ground.
4. In New Jersey specifically, they had a berm go under water due to the storm surges, causing even more damage.
Ultimately, take a look at the damage predictions and you'll see why its called a superstorm. Wind was only part of the issue.
Re:Someone forgot to test (Score:5, Insightful)
Until we have reliable alternatives, coal and Oil will be used until they disappear completely.
BTW ... obvious reasons. ... damn rivers ... kills birds ... Rare Earth Mineral Mining not allowed
Can't have Nuclear
Can't use Hydro Electric
Can't use windmills
Can't use Solar Voltaic
Let me know when we have viable alternatives that won't be outsourced to China or other third world nation.
Re:Someone forgot to test (Score:4, Insightful)