Burning Teslas in LA Add to Toxic Mix Hindering Wildfire Cleanup
- Electric cars add a new dimension to the mess left by fires
- Specialized removal means longer delays delays for victims
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As the smoke clears from devastating Los Angeles wildfires, efforts to clean up the affected areas are being complicated by burnt-out electric and hybrid vehicles and home-battery storage systems.
Lithium batteries from Tesla Inc., along with those from other carmakers, have added to the mix of toxic materials requiring specialized removal in the wake of the fires, delaying the fire victims’ return to their properties.