The fire problem is compounded by the fact that a Tesla (or other EV with lithium batteries) fire is extremely difficult to put out. They can and do start burning again hours after they appear to be extinguished.
Get the hazmat unit out.
A bit over a year ago a U.S. Army research lab experimenting with aluminum alloys, accidentally discovered a new material which allows for the production of pure hydrogen on demand. As with a calcium carbide based acetylene production device, water and the reactive material are metered into a reaction chamber. Changing the rate at which the two materials are combined, simply and directly allow on-demand rate adjustment of the gas production.
One direct application under accelerated development is a lightweight power source for use in the field as a replacement for the individual soldier’s lithium batteries included as part of the field kit. By weight it provides three times more energy. By volume, it is five times more capacity. Any source of fluid containing water will activate the system to provide an electrical output. Replacing the active material in bulk or as a cartridge, provides for speedy refueling. The fuel cell conversion device which outputs electricity and heat is instant-on in function.
A fifteen kilowatt capacity portable generating device is a parallel development. Efficiency of conversion from fuel to wheel torque when
scaled to a vehicle sized application is about three times what can be achieved by conventional drivetrains.
The technology has been licensed for civilian application’s development. The weight, size, and speed of refueling advantages over lithium batteries are large. The waste material produced is a feedstock for production of aluminum based ceramic items, some antacid medications, or could be recycled to the metallic state if economical.