State Assembly Member Says Saturday's Hybrid Vehicle Fire In Ojai Example Of EV Battery Dangers

Tuesday January 28, 2025

(Photo by Ben Brucker)

     A California State Assembly member says Saturday's hybrid vehicle fire in Ojai is an example of the state's poor planning when it comes to dealing with the danger of E-V's that catch fire.

     Tom Lackey, a Republican from the Palmdale area, says the Governor has failed to develop "a comprehensive plan to keep our roads and neighborhoods safe."

    The former CHP officer says such vehicles pose unique dangers and challenges for first responders and the public when the batteries start burning, triggering "a thermal runaway, a chemical chain reaction that creates uncontrollable heat and smoke."

     In Saturday morning's incident on Ventura Avenue near Tico Road in the Ojai Valley, the vehicle burned for hours prompting evacuations and shelter in place orders.

     It took more than a half a day before the vehicle, a Volvo XC90 SUV hybrid, was safe to remove from the roadway.