A recent incident in Luton, UK, where a carpark caught fire, has once again sparked discourse around car fires. Although luckily no lives were lost, the fire resulted in the damage or destruction of up to 1,200 cars. The fire department identified the car that started the blaze as a diesel Range Rover. It’s important to note that there is a diesel battery-electric hybrid option available for some Range Rover models, but there’s no evidence suggesting this particular car was a hybrid.
Land Rovers have had a history of fire-related issues, with the company recalling 112,000 vehicles a few months ago due to a problem that caused them to catch fire. This problem involved a loose component under the hood that could spray fuel over hot engine parts, leading to ignition. While diesel cannot be easily ignited with a match, it can still catch fire under certain conditions.
Land Rovers and Range Rovers, in some ways, occupy a similar position in British car culture as massive pickup trucks do in North American car culture. They are often seen as heavy, overpowered machines used for urban purposes rather than their intended purpose as working vehicles. This has led to criticism regarding their practicality and safety.
With the recent fire incident, it is surprising that the popular working-class newspaper, The Daily Mail, known for its sensationalist reporting, has not made a bigger issue out of this problem. The paper has a history of reporting on Land Rover fires, and it would be expected to capitalize on the opportunity given its reader demographics. However, in 2023, the focus seems to be more on speculating and assuming that any car fire must be electric, despite electric vehicles being less prone to catching fire than internal combustion vehicles.
This incident serves as a reminder that car fires can happen with any type of vehicle. Misinformation and sensationalism surrounding electric cars have become prominent recently, leading to unwarranted blame on their part for various incidents. It’s crucial to base discussions and reporting on factual information rather than engaging in culture wars or perpetuating stereotypes.
