A fire investigator has returned today to the scene of Saturday night’s electric truck fire at Bethlehem Town Centre.
The fire, which was reported at 4.50pm, was attended by more than 20 fire fighters from Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and Greerton stations.
Fire and Emergency NZ Northern Shift Manager Michael Anderson said a crew remained at the scene overnight.
“We maintained the scene until 4am, when it was given back to the owners,” Anderson said.
Fire fighters spent hours spraying water on the electric truck. Photo/Supplied.
Anderson said an aerial fire truck from the Mount Maunganui fire station joined the other crews at 8.22pm.
“Our crews started heading home about 10pm and we had one remain on scene until 4am, cooling the truck. The fire is extinguished.”
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Police safeguarding the site at Bethlehem Town Centre. Photo/Rosalie Liddle Crawford.
A fire investigator also attended on Saturday night and is returning today.
The electric truck caught fire while parked at the ChargeNet charging site in the Bethlehem Town Centre carpark.
Bethlehem Road was cordoned off for hours while fire crews worked at the scene of an electric truck fire at Bethlehem Town Centre, Tauranga on Saturday, May 3. Photo/Supplied.
“ChargeNet can confirm that at approximately 4.50pm on the 3 May 2025, a fire occurred involving an EV truck at our Bethlehem charging site,” a ChargeNet spokesperson said.
“The charger was quickly disconnected from the vehicle. The driver was able to exit the vehicle safely, and no injuries have been reported.”
ChargeNet said the Bethlehem charging site has been temporarily shut down.
“Emergency services responded promptly and removed the vehicle at around 4am this morning.
“Our technical team is working closely with emergency services and onsite personnel to support their response and undertake a thorough assessment.”
Fire crews working at the scene of an electric truck fire at Bethlehem Town Centre, Tauranga on Saturday, May 3. Photo/Supplied.
ChargeNet said initial indications suggest the vehicle involved was a custom-built electric truck.
“The safety of our customers, partners, and the public is our highest priority,” a ChargeNet spokesperson said.
“We are in direct contact with the vehicle’s owner and will continue to assist Fire and Emergency New Zealand and other relevant authorities as needed.
“Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.”
The Bethlehem Town Centre carpark filled with smoke from the electric truck fire. Photo/Rosalie Liddle Crawford.
EV FireSafe director Emma Sutcliffe said electric truck battery fires are rare, with just 13 such incidents verified globally.
“When they do occur, the leading cause is manufacturing faults that can trigger a chemical process called thermal runaway, which is extremely difficult to control in large battery packs,” Sutcliffe said.
“The safest response is often to allow the pack to burn out while protecting nearby structures.”
The electric truck on fire at Bethlehem Town Centre on Saturday, May 3. Photo/Therese Hamahona.
EV FireSafe is an Australian company funded by the Australian Department of Defence, specialising in EV battery fire research and emergency response — particularly when EVs are charging.
Global and NZ data from EV FireSafe and Drive Electric
Global and NZ data shared by EV FireSafe and Drive Electric show that EV battery fires are rare with 510 globally between 2010–2024, across ~40 million EVs.
The Bethlehem Town Centre carpark filled with smoke from the electric truck fire. Photo/Rosalie Liddle Crawford.
EVs are less likely to catch fire than petrol/diesel vehicles. Data from Norway shows that there is a 0.005 per cent fire rate for EVs versus a 0.03 per cent fire rate for ICE vehicles.
Most EV fires don’t involve the battery. Data collected from the Netherlands shows that only 38 per cent (2022) and 25 per cent (2023) involved battery ignition.
Fire crews spraying water on an electric truck fire at Bethlehem Town Centre, Tauranga on Saturday, May 3. Photo/Supplied.
Charging-related fires are also uncommon with less than 15 per cent of EV battery fires happening while charging. This means that charging is not always the cause.
New Zealand has had six recorded EV fire incidents with no reported injuries, fatalities, or confirmed cases involving charging.
3 comments
Excuses excuses
Posted on 04-05-2025 22:08 | By Aah well
Why does it sound like most of the article is hell bent on trying to defend ev? Regardless of the stats indicating lower frequency of ev vehicle fires (both low at less than 0.1pc), it's the severity and toxicity of the ev fires that is the main concern. If that fire had happened in a multistorey carpark, GAME OVER for the other vehicles in that carpark. If in a densely populated area it would be a serious health risk for thousands of people.
Unsafe!
Posted on 05-05-2025 15:27 | By Poe's Lawyer
No petrol car has ever caught fire in the history of the automobile, but now these EVs on the road, they're bursting into flames at a mere glance! When will people understand how unsafe electricity is? Thomas Edison made a deal with the devil and we've all been left paying the price!!
Danger to all
Posted on 07-05-2025 13:14 | By ShaneS
Yes I think the fire safety officer has it very wrong, there are lots of EV fires around the world and two firefighters recently died in Spain from an EV fire remember if you come across one make sure you move upwind and keep well away they will kill you from the toxic smoke.
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