During the weekend, a fire broke out in the parking lot of the Rivian automotive factory in the city of Normal, Illinois, causing damage to over 50 vehicles. The affected vehicles were models of the Rivian R1S and R1T, which were ready for delivery to customers. The cause of the fire is currently unknown, as reported by InsideEVs.
The incident occurred on Saturday evening, just before 9:45 PM local time. Fortunately, the part of the factory where all current Rivian models are assembled and where the new R2 SUV is being prepared for production was not affected by the fire. There were no reported injuries as a result of the incident.
Aerial footage and photographs posted on Facebook show 57 vehicles parked on the edge of the factory’s parking lot, located near industrial railway tracks. It appears that the fire only affected the R1S and R1T models, sparing other vehicles in the vicinity. An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the fire.
Despite the unsettling nature of this incident, it is important to note that electric vehicles do not catch fire frequently. Statistics show that for every 100,000 combustion engine vehicles, there are approximately 1530 fires, compared to only 25 fires for the same number of electric vehicles. This means that there is a significantly higher likelihood of a combustion engine vehicle catching fire than an electric vehicle.
On the other hand, it is essential to acknowledge that extinguishing an electric vehicle fire poses a greater challenge than extinguishing a combustion engine fire. There are specific procedures and protocols for handling such incidents, and witnessing the process firsthand can be enlightening. For those interested in learning more about firefighting procedures for electric vehicle fires, we recommend reading our detailed article on a firefighting exercise conducted in 2024.
In conclusion, while the recent fire at the Rivian factory parking lot is concerning, it is important to remember that electric vehicle fires are relatively rare compared to combustion engine fires. Understanding the differences in fire risks and firefighting procedures for electric vehicles can help increase awareness and preparedness in the event of such incidents.