A Tesla owner in Hope, British Columbia, suffered minor injuries when an uncertified third-party adapter failed during a fast-charging session, causing a high-voltage arc flash and fireball. The incident occurred on August 16, 2024, at a non-Tesla commercial charging station. Officials from Technical Safety BC investigated and rated the event as major due to the damage and injury risk.
The mishap took place at a commercial fast-charging station in Hope, British Columbia, capable of delivering up to 200 kilowatts. On August 16, 2024, the Tesla driver connected the vehicle using an aftermarket adapter not certified for use in Canada. According to Technical Safety BC, the owner had used the adapter approximately 50 times previously without problems.
During startup, a short circuit occurred between the adapter and the charger's cable, producing a bright flash that knocked the driver to the ground. A passenger inside the vehicle remained unhurt. Security video captured the explosion, showing the flash and the driver being thrown backward.
Investigators documented significant damage: burn marks on the car, melted cable terminals, and severe internal burning inside the charger. The blast also completely destroyed the adapter. The report concluded that an internal fault in the charging unit sent abnormal voltage through the uncertified adapter, triggering the high-voltage arc flash.
Under British Columbia's Electrical Safety Regulation, all electrical equipment must have proper certification, but at the time, no approved Canadian standard existed for EV charging adapters. Tesla's policy explicitly prohibits third-party adapters, extension cords, or intermediary devices, warning that they pose serious safety risks even if advertised as compatible.
Technical Safety BC classified the incident as major, highlighting the severity of the damage to the vehicle, charger, and adapter, as well as the potential for injury. Video footage of the explosion was released alongside the investigation report.