A brand-new BYD electric vehicle (EV) began emitting smoke in the early hours of Friday (11 July), prompting a swift response from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). Firefighters deployed water jets and extinguishers to cool the vehicle’s battery compartment and prevent any escalation.
EV Starts Smoking While Stationary at BYD Dealership
The incident occurred at approximately 12:20 a.m. along Teban Garden, where a BYD authorised dealership is located. The vehicle in question is a BYD Seal model—completely new and reportedly stationary at the time it began to emit smoke from its underside, reported Lianhe Zaobao
According to Vantage Automotive, the official distributor for BYD in Singapore, they have been informed of the case and are cooperating fully. The company emphasised that all BYD vehicles sold locally are equipped with the manufacturer’s proprietary “Blade Battery” system, a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery designed in a blade format. This technology is widely recognised in the global EV industry for its enhanced safety and thermal stability.
Distributor and SCDF Issue Statements
The SCDF confirmed that upon arrival, white smoke was observed emanating from the underside of the vehicle. Firefighters responded promptly by deploying both water jets and portable extinguishers. They specifically targeted the battery compartment to bring down its temperature and ensure the area was safe.
After the situation was stabilised, the vehicle was towed by a contractor to a workshop for further inspection. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in connection with this incident.
Investigations Ongoing into Root Cause
Authorities are now conducting a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of the smoke emission. While no flames or explosions occurred, the incident underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and robust safety measures in electric vehicle technology.
This event also serves as a reminder that even advanced battery systems like BYD’s Blade Battery are not entirely immune to rare malfunctions—though such cases remain statistically uncommon.