50,000 gallons of water used to extinguish Tesla Semi fire after crash in California, NTSB reports

admin 2024年9月19日

Intermediate

science & technology, science & technology - intermediate

Pre-reading questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

What do you know about Tesla?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of automated driving systems compared to human-driven vehicles?

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

launch /lawnch/

[verb] – to begin something such as a plan or introduce something new such as a product
The company launched a new marketing campaign to promote their latest product.

automated /AW-tuh-may-tuhd/

[adjective] – carried out by machines or computers without needing human control
The factory’s automated system ensures products are assembled with high precision.

freeway /FREE-wey/

[noun] – a high-capacity road designed for fast-moving traffic, usually with no intersections or stoplights
The freeway was congested with traffic during the holiday weekend.

responder /ri-SPON-der/

[noun] – individuals or teams who react to emergencies or requests for help, often in professional or official capacities
Emergency responders arrived quickly at the scene of the accident.

manufacturer /man-yuh-FAK-cher-er/

[noun] – companies or individuals that produce goods or products
The manufacturers of the new smartphone promised improved battery life.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

On August 19, firefighters in California used about 50,000 gallons of water to extinguish a fire caused by a battery in a Tesla Semi truck after a crash on Interstate 80 near Emigrant Gap, about 70 miles northeast of Sacramento. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that the truck’s battery reached temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit during the fire. Firefighters also used a plane to drop chemicals to help stop the fire from spreading. The crash happened around 3:13 a.m. when the Tesla Semi, driven by a Tesla employee from Livermore to a Sparks, Nevada, facility, went off the road, hit a tree, and the battery caught fire.

The NTSB has launched an investigation into the fire risks associated with the truck’s battery, confirming that Tesla’s automated driving systems were not active at the time of the crash. Firefighters closed the freeway for 15 hours to cool the battery enough for vehicle recovery. The truck was then monitored for 24 hours at an open-air facility to prevent reignition. The NTSB will continue its investigation and plans to issue safety recommendations for first responders, focusing on the risks of high-voltage battery fires in electric vehicles and the need for improved guidelines from manufacturers.

Comprehension questions

I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.

What type of vehicle caused the fire on August 19?
How many gallons of water did firefighters use to put out the fire?
What temperature did the truck’s battery reach during the fire?
How did firefighters try to stop the fire from spreading?
What will the NTSB focus on in its investigation and future recommendations?

Discussion questions