All Tesla Model S EVs built since March 6 have a stronger triple underbody shield that should greatly reduce fire risk, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said.
The company is responding to incidents last year where on-road fires caused by road debris struck the underside of two different Model S EVs in Washington State and Tennessee.
Tesla conducted 152 tests using every possible “worst case debris impact” they could imagine and created a shield which they are confident cannot be broken. Mush said the new shields “bring the (fire) risk to virtually zero.”
Any Model S owner who wants the shield is encouraged to ask for it, or Tesla will add the upgrade, which include a rounded, hollow aluminum bar, a titanium plate and a shallow angle, solid aluminum extrusion, the next time the car is in for service.
