According to reports from multiple Chinese media outlets, including the China Business Journal, on October 5 in Dongbi Village, Sansha Town, Ningde City, Fujian Province, an Avatr 06 suddenly caught fire. The blaze affected seven nearby passenger vehicles, including models from Audi, BMW, Mazda, and Mercedes-Benz, causing varying degrees of burning and damage. Although firefighters rushed to the scene, the flames spread rapidly, and because the fire originated from an electric vehicle, it quickly engulfed nearby cars. Several vehicles sustained serious damage, with some completely destroyed on the spot. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
After the incident, a woman claiming to be the car’s owner posted a video on social media. She stated that the Avatr 06 had been purchased on August 28, driven for only about 1.5 months and 1,066 kilometers. In her video, smoke was first seen coming from the front passenger seat area, and data from the Avatr app showed the interior temperature had already reached 76.4°C (169.5°F) before the fire broke out. The woman later removed the video, saying the manufacturer had contacted her and promised to handle the situation appropriately. A nearby Aion EV owner, whose car was also damaged, told reporters that all the affected vehicles belonged to tourists and fortunately there were no injuries.
About Avatr 06:
Avatr is a premium new energy vehicle (NEV) brand under Changan Automobile. Since its founding, Avatr has launched the Avatr 11, Avatr 12, Avatr 07, and Avatr 06 models. The Avatr 06, the brand’s latest model, was launched on April 19 this year. It is a mid-size vehicle offered in both pure electric (EV) and extended-range (EREV) versions, with an official price range of 201,900 to 279,900 yuan (approx. $27,700–$38,500).
The pure electric variant is built on an 800V high-voltage platform, with a single-motor version outputting 252 kW and a dual-motor version with front/rear motors at 188 kW and 252 kW. CLTC range is 650 km (single motor) and 600 km (dual motor).
The extended-range version uses a 1.5T engine (115 kW) with a 231 kW drive motor, offering 170 km and 240 km pure electric range, respectively.
EV safety testing:
Before launching, most NEVs undergo extreme temperature tests to ensure safety and performance under harsh conditions, particularly to mitigate battery and thermal runaway risks. In China, high-temperature tests are typically conducted in Turpan, Xinjiang, where summer temperatures can reach 48.6°C (119°F) and surface temperatures often exceed 70°C (158°F). These tests cover prolonged heat exposure, fast-charging safety, full-load driving, and durability checks of critical components such as the battery, motor, and electronic control systems.
Given that the Avatr 06 fire initially started with smoke from the front passenger area, experts say it can likely rule out a direct thermal runaway of the “three-electric system” (battery, motor, electronic control) as the cause. However, the exact reason still awaits an official investigation and report.
Company statement:
Avatr said the cause of the fire is under joint investigation by the company and local fire authorities, and further details cannot be disclosed at this time. An initial assessment is expected soon. Customer service also confirmed that all Avatr 06 battery packs meet national safety standards and are supplied by CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited).
