Video of a BYD electric car catching fire in Brazil has attracted the attention of online users. However, the cause of the fire would have been a “gambiarra” made by the owner to load the vehicle.
The incident occurred in Santa Maria, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, last Sunday (October 19). According to witnesses, the car caught fire while charging on the street.
The Fire Brigade reported that the fire started due to the “gambiarra” made by the owner to load the vehicle, but the exact causes are still under investigation.
According to local media, the car was connected to a standard household extension cord, while the portable charger was inside the car with the windows partially closed.
This practice is not recommended by manufacturers, who have pointed out that the improvised charging method can cause overheating and short circuits, leading to fires.
Images of the incident show that the flames started inside the car and were quickly put out by firefighters. Fortunately, the vehicle’s battery and electrical system were not damaged and no one was injured.
“The probable reason was not the vehicle itself, but an improvisation in charging. Extension cords and chargers left confined inside the car increase the risk of overheating,” he said Clement Gauersafety director of the Brazilian Electric Vehicle Association (ABVE), on social media.
“It’s a blunder that should not be replicated. With a BYD fleet already approaching 200,000 vehicles in Brazil, cases like this are absolutely rare. The problem lies in charging outside the norm. Safe charging is planned charging.”
An electric car caught fire on the afternoon of Sunday 19 October, in Rua Dr Bozano, in Santa Maria, RS.
The Fire Brigade said that, initially, it was a battery charging problem. pic.twitter.com/zjTCPOA7J7
— Tumulto BR (@TumultoBR) October 20, 2025
Photos and videos: X @TumultoBR. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
