As Dems continue to push families to purchase electric vehicles we continue to hear nightmare situations of malfunctions but this one takes the cake!
Renee Sanchez recently experienced the nightmare scenario that many owners of electric vehicles fear – being trapped inside a car during a heatwave. Her Tesla Model X battery died while her 20-month-old granddaughter was still strapped into her seat, turning the interior into an oven on a scorching Arizona day. Despite her efforts to open the doors with her phone and key card, Sanchez was unable to get inside the car to rescue her granddaughter.
She immediately called 911 and firefighters from Scottsdale responded to the scene. However, they soon discovered that getting into a Tesla in emergency situations is not as simple as breaking a window. Sanchez recalled, “when they got here, the first thing they said was, ‘Uggh, it’s a Tesla. We can’t get in these cars.'” With no other options, they had to resort to using an ax to break the window and carefully secure the inside to minimize the risk of flying glass.
Fortunately, the toddler was successfully rescued, but not without experiencing some distress as she watched the chaos unfold around her. Sanchez was relieved but also angry and shaken by the ordeal. She had received no warning from Tesla that her battery was about to die and was disappointed that the car’s safety features did not include a fail-safe mechanism in case of emergencies like this. “When that battery goes, you’re dead in the water,” she said.
Sanchez’s experience has raised serious concerns about the safety of Tesla’s electric vehicles. As an EV expert, Mike Klimkosky believes that first responders should take responsibility for educating themselves on how to handle these situations. After all, it is their duty to keep themselves and the public safe.
However, Michael Brooks, the executive director for the Center for Auto Safety, believes that Tesla should shoulder the blame. He argues that the company focuses more on flashy features rather than ensuring the safety of its vehicles. According to Brooks, Tesla’s failure to comply with federal safety standards can have deadly consequences.
Thank goodness they got the little girl out. It could've been so very much worse. Yeah, I'll stick to my gas-run vehicle.
Dead Tesla Traps Toddler in Boiling Hot Car as Electric Doors Fail: ‘Cut the Car in Half, Get Her Out!’ – https://t.co/TiF2z3CYtQ
— Nienna (@Nienna4165291) June 24, 2024
In the aftermath of this incident, there are now questions about what can be done to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. Tesla has a method for exiting a car when the battery dies, but this would not have helped Sanchez as she was the only one with access to the vehicle. There is also a way to jump-start the car, but it requires specialized knowledge and equipment. As Sanchez put it, “They need to educate the first responders because they had no idea.” This highlights the need for greater education and awareness about electric vehicles among emergency services.
This incident serves as a wake-up call for both Tesla and emergency services. The company must prioritize safety and work towards implementing fail-safe measures in their vehicles, while first responders must make an effort to educate themselves on how to handle EV-related emergencies.
As the Biden administration pushes families to purchase EVs, it is crucial that all parties involved take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers.