A video of a BYD electric car catching fire in Brazil is attracting the attention of netizens. However, it was reported that the cause of the fire was not the vehicle itself, but the “instant charging method” created by the owner to charge the vehicle.
This incident occurred last Sunday (October 19) in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. According to witnesses, the vehicle caught fire while it was charging on the road.
The fire department said the fire was caused by an improvised charging method created by the owner, but the exact cause is still under investigation.
According to local media reports, the vehicle was connected to a standard household extension cable, a portable charger was inside the vehicle and the windows were partially closed.
Manufacturers do not recommend this method and warn that instant charging can lead to overheating or short-circuiting, which can lead to fire.
Video from the scene shows the fire started inside the vehicle and was quickly extinguished by firefighters. Fortunately, the vehicle’s battery and electrical system were not damaged, and there were no casualties.
Safety Director, Brazilian Electric Vehicle Association (ABVE) Clement Gauersaid on social media: “The cause of the problem is not the vehicle itself, but the improvisation of the charging method. Leaving extension cables and chargers inside the vehicle increases the risk of overheating.”
“This is a practice that should never be followed. With around 200,000 BYD vehicles already on the road in Brazil, cases like this are very rare. The problem lies in out-of-regulation charging. Safe charging is planned charging.”
On the afternoon of October 19, an electric car caught fire in Rua Dr Bozano, Santa Maria, Brazil.
The fire department said it was due to a battery charging issue. pic.twitter.com/zjTCPOA7J7
— Tumulto BR (@TumultoBR) October 20, 2025
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