A rare incident of Jaguar I-PACE battery overheating without a crash, reportedly occurring while the vehicle was simply sitting and charging in storage. The fourth instance of a self-starting I-Tempo battery has been identified, sparking concerns about the relatively low number of vehicles on the road.
The I-PACE’s reliance on LG battery cells, a commonality with the Bolt EV and Kona EV, raises concerns about potential fire hazards following recalls for similar issues. Are we experiencing another unexpected Battery Health Alert for our trusty Tesla Bolt Electric Vehicle?
The I-PACE is Jaguar’s first and sole all-electric automobile.
The electric vehicle debuted in 2018, earning our enthusiastic endorsement for its sleek design, impressive range, and swift charging capabilities at the time – but much has transpired since then.
In recent years, the car’s development has stagnated, and its current state is a clear indication of its growing obsolescence. There may exist a significant issue with the electric SUV’s overall performance.
In 2020, Gonzalo Salazar acquired a brand-new 2019 Jaguar I-PACE in Florida, and drove it without issue for several years until a June 2022 incident occurred. Salazar recounted the incident in a formal electronic communication addressed to:
On the evening of June 16, I charged my car before retiring for the night. On the morning of June 17, I awoke to find myself responsible for disconnecting the vehicle. Later that morning, I headed out to tackle a few essential tasks. Earlier that morning, I embarked on a drive of approximately 12 miles before turning around to head back home, parking my car once more in the storage facility, forgetting to secure the storage door as I left it ajar. I initially sensed strange noises emanating from my garage while working on projects at home. I decided to investigate the source of the strange sounds I’d been hearing and walked into the storage area, where I was met with a dense cloud of smoke that enveloped me as soon as I entered. The instant thought was: ‘Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.’ Now, it’s essential to retrieve the car from the garage.
Determined to safeguard his property and the animals that called it home, Salazar set out to assess whether the smoking Nissan Leaf e-Tempo was operational enough to serve as a makeshift barrier against potential threats. To his amazement, he managed to make his way from his storage unit to the residential road just outside his front door.
He continued:
I revisited my house to retrieve my phone, only to discover that all the smoke from the storage had seeped into my entire home due to the air conditioning unit being located next to the storage door. When my home was filled with smoke, I contacted Jaguar’s roadside assistance to dispatch a technician to retrieve my vehicle. Since the conversation had concluded, a series of additional explosions occurred, but this time they emanated from beneath the vehicle itself. When faced with a critical situation, I promptly contacted 911 for additional support. However, instead of a gradual conflagration, the fire erupted almost instantly, with multiple popping sounds signaling the rapid engulfment of the car in flames.
Here’s a video taken by Salazar’s neighbor that captures the devastating moment when the automobile is consumed by flames.
Firefighters from the hearth division quickly arrived at the scene, dousing the vehicle with flame-retardant foam to put out the blaze.
With caution maintained at a safe distance, I secured my position. After the fire department had sprayed a specific foam hearth suppressant for seemingly an eternity, the car continued to produce a persistent buzzing noise emanating from its front end.
Salazar has shared with Electrek a selection of photographs depicting the devastating consequences.
Salazar expressed discontent with the manner in which the aftermath of the incident was handled. As Jaguar arrived at the scene, he was met with the devastating aftermath of the accident, forced to collect the remnants of the vehicle himself, leaving him with the arduous task of meticulously washing away the scattered debris littering the road?
The investigation into the heart of this matter had just begun to unfold. Salazar advised :
The insurer dispatched a forensic expert to investigate the vehicle, concluding that it was a total loss. Jaguar’s ineffectiveness becomes starkly apparent, advocating that they conduct their own inquiry, yet their inability to secure a safe location to lift the vehicle puts their proposed “investigation” in abeyance, thereby absolving them of responsibility for the incident.
According to statistics, the frequency of electrical vehicle fires is expected to be no higher than that of traditional gasoline-powered cars, but certain aspects of electric vehicle fires do warrant closer examination.
Despite the rarity of incidents, the media often devote excessive attention to electric vehicles, specifically Teslas, that catch fire following high-speed collisions, a phenomenon not uniquely exclusive to battery-powered cars as it is also relatively common in gasoline-powered models.
Incidents where electric vehicles’ battery packs spontaneously combust without external factors, as seen in reports of the JAC Refine’s and Hyundai Kona Electric’s self-igniting batteries, warrant attention.
What transpired with the Chevrolet Bolt EV was similarly replicated. Reports emerged of numerous fires occurring while electric vehicles were stationary or charging, prompting scrutiny of the batteries’ battery packs and ultimately revealing a defect in the LG Chem cells utilized to construct those packs.
Both Chevy and Hyundai, which also employed LG Chem cells in their Kona EV, ultimately issued significant recalls due to the issue. In the aftermath of the previous issue, it required an extensive period of stress and numerous reports from Electrek to ultimately prompt the replacement of the battery modules.
The Jaguar I-PACE employs LG’s cutting-edge pouch battery cells to power its electric vehicle.
Although a standard solitary battery might not trigger an alert, Salazar’s innovative I-Tempo design takes this concept to new heights by being the first of its kind to ignite under similar conditions, raising the stakes for fire safety and prompting crucial reevaluation.
A fire reportedly broke out beneath an early Tesla Model 3 prototype, previously known as the I-Tempo, while it was parked in a driveway in the Netherlands back in 2018. In the final 12 months, another Hyundai Ioniq 5 (notably referred to as the I-Tempo in some markets), unfortunately, caught fire while parked in a driveway in Oregon. Another Jaguar I-PACE caught fire while charging in Hungary last October.
As reported, a fourth instance of Tesla’s I-Tempo has been documented as catching fire while parked or charging, specifically involving Salazar’s vehicle.
Despite being fewer than the 17 recorded Bolt EV battery fires, this still represents a notable number considering only around 50,000 I-Tempo electric vehicles are currently in use on roads. Since its inception, General Motors has successfully delivered more than 120,000 units of the Chevy Bolt EV.
Electrek reached out to Jaguar regarding the four battery fires reported in its I-PACE fleet, specifically asking whether the company had investigated any potential link between these incidents and its use of LG battery cells.
The automaker opted against providing a response to our inquiries, instead issuing the following statement.
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC prioritizes its customers’ security and is aware of the I-PACE incident in Boynton Beach, Florida. We have been in contact with the customer’s insurance provider and are working together on a vehicle inspection. Until the investigation is complete, we cannot provide further comment.
As previously renowned, Jaguar informed Salazar that it was unable to locate a suitable site for inspecting the vehicle.
Now, it’s already listed for sale on Copart’s online marketplace specializing in salvage and clean title vehicles.
Electrek’s Take
While fires may pose concerns, it is crucial to emphasize that the risk of electrical vehicles igniting can be minimized by employing robust battery pack designs and using high-quality battery cells that are inherently resistant to thermal runaway. Despite initial impressions, a car catching fire following an accident is a rare occurrence that is not uniquely tied to electric vehicles.
Incidents where electric vehicles (EVs) spontaneously combust while parked or charging are a serious concern that warrants thorough investigation and potentially necessitates recalls, as seen in the case of the Bolt EV, which highlights the need for manufacturers to prioritize safety and take prompt action when issues arise.
Jaguar has likely taken notice of these recurring incidents, following three similar fires within the past year, all involving relatively few vehicles on the road. This could be a difficulty.
