Electric vehicles are renowned for their clean, smoke-free operation. Likewise, the sight of a Tesla emitting smoke while charging is both absurd and alarming.
So why is my Tesla smoking while charging? Heat pumps are standard on most electric cars, ensuring that the battery and the vehicle are kept at the ideal temperature. Thus, as your Tesla is charging, the battery warms up, and the ice therein condenses as a result of the heat. This produces harmless steam.
However, there are circumstances where you should worry about it. It might be actual smoke rather than steam. Well, don’t worry, as we will cover it all here. Let’s get started.
Tesla Is Smoking While Charging: Reason Behind It
In recent times, many Tesla users have come across a smoking Tesla while they were charging their vehicles. In fear of the car blowing up, they have even called the emergency helpline to check out this issue. Nevertheless, all they have come across is that it’s a false alarm.
Furthermore, Tesla has also addressed this issue and said it’s nothing to worry about and just simple chemistry. It’s the heat pump that is just doing its job in cold weather. If you don’t know, the heat pump is responsible for ensuring optimal temperature both inside the car and the battery.
Simple Science Behind It
In cold weather, the battery temperature drops below the freezing point: 0° Celsius. This mostly happens when your Tesla has been idle for a few hours.
So when you charge your Tesla in this condition, the temperature inside the battery increases. This is due to the electrochemical reactions taking place within the battery. These reactions generate heat as a byproduct, causing the battery’s temperature to rise.
Moreover, the heat pump works together to increase the temperature inside the battery to take it to an optimal temperature.
Since there is a rapid temperature change, condensation will occur. As a result, water vapor, which you thought was smoke, comes out. This steam is a natural process and isn’t something to worry about at all.
On the other hand, Tesla smoking while charging is a possibility that can’t be neglected. There’s always a chance of any battery burning up. Thus, identifying whether it’s smoke or steam is key before calling for help.
Here’s a video that should help you understand this concept better.
Differences Between Smoke Vs. Steam In Tesla Car While Charging
Here are the differences between smoke and steam that you should identify easily.
Odor
The smell of burning plastic or chemicals is usually present when a battery is burning. On the other hand, when it undergoes condensation, you won’t be able to distinguish it from its natural smell.
Color
Smoke is the result of incomplete combustion of a material, such as a battery. Thus, a burning battery is typically black or dark gray, indicating that the battery is undergoing a combustion process. Contrarily, you can compare the color of steam to fog.
Thickness
Smoke emitted from a burning battery is generally thick and may produce a dense cloud. Opposingly, steam generally comes in thin and translucent clouds, which can be compared with light mist.
Persistence
The steam produced by condensation should stop after a few minutes. However, you know it’s smoke when it persists for a longer period. Burning smoke usually continues to emit as long as the battery is overheating or on fire.
Other Symptoms That Mean Your Tesla Is On Fire
Now that you know the difference between smoke and steam, there are other factors to consider as well. Knowing other symptoms can help you to determine the level of urgency. The professionals also use these symptoms to conclude things.
So let’s check it out.
Battery Temperature Readings
One of the key indicators of thermal runaway is an excessively high battery temperature. Fortunately, Tesla comes with military-grade Thermal imaging cameras through which you can monitor the temperature of the battery pack.
If the battery temperature is between 2°C and 42°C, then it’s fine, and there’s nothing to worry about. However, if it surpasses this value, then you shouldn’t stand next to your Tesla and call for help.
Visual Inspection
Again, the thermal imaging camera comes in handy here. You can conduct a visual inspection of the EV’s battery pack using the thermal camera. Then, look for any abnormal hotspots or areas of intense heat buildup. If there aren’t any, then there’s nothing to worry about.
Sparks
This is quite self-explanatory: if you see any sparks around your Tesla, then it’s time to run and call for help. One of the most significant hazards of a Tesla sparking while charging is the risk of an electrical fire.
The sparks could indicate a malfunction in the charging system or a fault in the vehicle’s electrical components. If the issue is not addressed promptly, it could lead to a fire. It can cause severe damage to the vehicle and surrounding property and potentially harm people nearby.
Table: What Causes Tesla Smoking While Charging
Now, if it’s actual smoke rather than steam, you have the right to know the reason behind it. Here’s a table that helps you know the reason why your Tesla is smoking while charging.
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Inadequate Charging Equipment | Use of substandard or incompatible charging equipment, such as low-quality cables and adapters |
| Faulty Battery Cells | Defective or degraded battery cells make the battery overheat and catch fire |
| Charging Misconfiguration | Incorrect settings or misconfiguration of the charging system can result in overcharging |
| Software Issues | Faulty firmware or software updates can cause the vehicle’s charging system to malfunction, resulting in smoking while charging |
What To Do: Tesla Smoking While Charging
There’s not much you can do on your own when you come across actual smoking Tesla rather than just steam. However, there are some protocols that you can do.
- As soon as you notice smoke, unplug the charging cable from your Tesla and the charging station.
- Ventilate the area by opening all windows and doors of your car and the garage to disperse any smoke.
- Contact emergency services if the situation seems severe.
- Contact Tesla professionals to resolve the root of this problem.
- Do not attempt to charge your Tesla until the issue has been resolved by a professional.
FAQ
Let’s check out some commonly asked questions regarding this topic.
It’s not that common for Tesla users to come across smoke while charging. However, the incident of figuring out it was steam rather than smoke is common.
Using a high-quality charging cable and keeping the charging area well-ventilated is all you need. Furthermore, ensuring that your Tesla’s battery cells are not damaged is also important.
If you come across a smoking Tesla, then your priority should be to call the emergency helpline in your country. Once it is safe, you can call the Tesla professionals to take a look at this issue and resolve it.
Conclusion
There’s nothing to worry about if you come across Tesla smoking while charging. It’s most likely steam that occurred due to condensation. However, if you come across a burning odor and black or gray smoke, then it’s concerning. It might be actual smoke.
However, there’s nothing much you can do on your own in this scenario. Just call the emergency helpline and let the professionals handle it. Once it is stated safe, you can ask the Tesla professionals to come in. They should find the reason behind it and resolve the issue.