Well I stand corrected. I was always told it was hydrogen gas. Looks like that’s a myth propagated by earlier open-cell varieties that would vent hydrogen during normal operation.

What I do know from experience is that the gases smell like toothpaste. At least in the smaller lipo jelly roll packs

[–] Eheran@lemmy.world 2 points 5 months ago

It used to be hydrogen when charging lead acid batteries, for example. NiMH also produces hydrogen once they are full, but that is internally converted back to water via a catalyst (hence they can be charged at 1/10 forever with only getting warm).

Not sure which chemistry would produce hydrogen during a thermal runaway event.

[–] disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

That’s how I expected it to look, like a scaled up laptop battery fire.

What do you think those rocket-like projectiles are in the posted video? They honestly look like fireworks, like jumping jacks or helicopters.

[–] ch00f@lemmy.world 6 points 5 months ago (1 children)

The updated version of the article says it might just be fireworks. It’s Las Vegas and New Years. Not to mention there’s probably a decent intersection between Cybertruck owners and illegal fireworks enthusiasts.

[–] halcyoncmdr@lemmy.world 1 points 5 months ago

intersection between Cybertruck owners and illegal fireworks enthusiasts.

Well that's not much of a venn diagram then, just a circle of the entire population with a smaller circle of Cybertruck owners. Because those are the best fireworks.

[–] prex@aussie.zone 2 points 5 months ago

Lead acid batteries can off-gas hydrogen.
Not sure exactly what liion batteries create other than 'vapor'. It certainly can explode in a similar way.
https://www.evfiresafe.com/ is a good resource on ev fire behaviour.