A Tesla owner in Hope, B.C., got more than he bargained for when an aftermarket charging adapter failed catastrophically, catching fire moments after being plugged in.
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Caught on Camera
Security camera footage captured the moment the adapter failed, showing sparks and a small fire breaking out at the charging port. According to reports, the device involved was an A2Z adapter that had not yet been certified for legal sale in Canada.
@ctvnews A man using an after-market, uncertified adapter to charge his Tesla was knocked to the ground by an explosion in a caught-on-camera incident highlighted by a B.C. regulator. #tesla #fire #news ♬ original sound – CTVNews
What Investigators Believe Went Wrong
Early findings suggest the adapter was delivering inconsistent voltage during the charging attempt, and combined with its uncertified status, created conditions that led to the failure. The driver sustained minor injuries, while the vehicle and charging port suffered more significant damage.
A Reminder About Certified Equipment
Experts note that electric vehicles themselves have a strong safety record when paired with certified charging equipment. Incidents involving uncertified or aftermarket adapters remain rare, but this case illustrates the risk that can come with using unverified third-party hardware.
Growing Calls for Caution
As EV adoption continues to grow, safety advocates are reiterating the importance of using only certified charging equipment, warning that lower-cost aftermarket alternatives may carry hidden risks that aren’t apparent until something goes wrong.