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Fisker Statement: Karma batteries not to blame for fire

As we suspected yesterday, the first official word from Fisker about the Karma that caught fire in Woodside, CA this weekend is that the lithium ion batteries are apparently not to blame. Fisker has released a statement, which you can find below, which says that independent investigators from Pacific Rim Investigative Group are looking into the cause of the blaze:

Evidence revealed thus far supports the fact that the ignition source was not the Lithium-ion battery pack, new technology components or unique exhaust routing.
The area of origin for the fire was determined to be outside the engine compartment. There was no damage to the passenger compartment and there were no injuries
.

More information will be released when Fisker and the investigators have something to report. To see a video of the fire and read our original report, click here.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (PDF), between 2005 and 2009, there have been 1,150 spontaneous vehicle fires, half of those in passenger vehicles. So, just under 600 vehicles burn for no known reason in an average year, out of a national fleet of around 250 million vehicles. Two Karma fires in four months is thus noteworthy, especially given the newness of the technology and general worries about the safety of li-ion batteries. According to Fisker, though, it’s not something to panic about.

While we await further details of this investigation, scroll down to read Fisker’s official statement.

Show full PR text
Fisker engineers, working with independent investigators from Pacific Rim Investigative Group, have begun preliminary examination and testing on the Karma involved in a fire in Woodside, California Friday, August 10.

Evidence revealed thus far supports the fact that the ignition source was not the Lithium-ion battery pack, new technology components or unique exhaust routing.

The area of origin for the fire was determined to be outside the engine compartment. There was no damage to the passenger compartment and there were no injuries.

Continued investigative efforts will be primarily focused within the specific area of origin, located forward of the driver’s side front tire.

Further details will be announced after a full report is completed.

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