Government

$100K Karma Hybrid Reportedly ‘Bursts Into Flames’ in CA Parking Lot

$100K Federally Funded Fisker Karma Reportedly Bursts Into Flames in California Parking Lot

A Fisker Karma is displayed at the US carmaker's booth on March 6, 2012 ahead of the 82nd Geneva Motor Show in Geneva. (Photo: Getty Images)

In yet another example of a federally funded “green energy” failure, Fisker has confirmed that its Karma hybrid “burst into flames” in a California parking lot last Friday, in the words of Reuters.

The car was not charging at the time, and Fisker said the fire was not caused by problems with the vehicle’s lithium-ion battery pack, new technology components or exhaust routing.

(Related: DOE Allocated $4.4M To Teach Firefighters How To Rescue People From Wrecked Volts Without Killing Themselves)

The Daily Tech relates:

A Fisker Karma driver from Woodside, California parked his hybrid at the grocery store…  and after grabbing the items he needed, returned to the parking lot to find that his vehicle was on fire.

He called the manufacturer immediately, who then told him to call 911. The Woodside Fire Department arrived to put out the fire, saying there was considerable damage to the front left area of the car.

Fisker Automotive’s Karma is a plug-in hybrid luxury sports sedan that goes for about $102,000 and up.

This fire is the second occurrence this year. Back in May 2012, a Karma plug-in was held responsible for a house fire in Houston, Texas. Before that, Fisker and A123 Systems, which is the battery maker for Fisker’s Karma, recalled over 200 batteries for the Karma. No fires had occurred at that point yet, but A123 Systems said that a poorly positioned hose clamp could potentially be the cause of such issues.

The firefighters were seemingly recorded putting out the fire.  Watch the clip, via Jalopnik:

Fisker is currently investigating the cause of the fire, but does not yet have any concrete answers.

According to the New York Times, the government approved $529 million in guaranteed loans for the company, but it has still struggled to maintain its workforce, laying off 66 workers earlier this year.

Commenters have noted a number of interesting aspects about the story.

“Ironic isn’t it?  They put all their money in a car to have zero emissions. Now how [many pollutants] are being expelled as it burns?” one asked.

A Jalopnik reader added: “Wait. His first response to ‘oh dear, my exceedingly expensive car is on fire’ was to CALL FISKER? That…Is just not even something I can comprehend.”

(H/T: Weasel Zippers)

Comments (111)

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  • BOGOTSTOGO
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:34pm

    What a Flukeing mess!!

    Report Post » BOGOTSTOGO  
    • Teaparty-grammy
      Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:41pm

      Well darn–there goes another one of ODUMBER’S “green energy jobs” up in smoke with the rest of them. If I remember correctly, didn’t GM also have trouble with the Volts catching fire? I guess the “green jobs” are going to come from the fire and clean-up crews needed in the aftermath of the “green fires”, right?

      I can just hear them over at Fisker . . . “Damn–there goes our carbon credits for the next decade!”

      Report Post » Teaparty-grammy  
    • DeathTongue
      Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:48pm

      TEAPARTY-GRAMMY – it’s actually creating another job – for a fireman.

      Report Post »  
    • Leadthemtothelight
      Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:56pm

      Should come with a bag of marshmellows

      Report Post » Leadthemtothelight  
    • Sirfoldallot
      Posted on August 13, 2012 at 6:02pm

      Idiot, lol. Should of got a Ford truck.

      Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
    • janedough1
      Posted on August 13, 2012 at 6:26pm

      Well, whaddaya know? Karma really is a bitch. You steal millions of our grandchildren’s dollars to put into “green energy” and it just goes up in smoke.

      Report Post »  
    • John 1776
      Posted on August 13, 2012 at 6:39pm

      How can you tell he’s a Liberal??

      He called the manufacturer to complain before he even called 911 !!!!!

      No chance that HE would do the responsible thing, like call for help before other people’s property got damaged. (Car next to his.) It’ all about ME ME ME!!

      Report Post » John 1776  
    • poorrichard09
      Posted on August 13, 2012 at 7:33pm

      Man, talk about BAD KARMA! hahahahhahaha

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on August 13, 2012 at 7:36pm

      It’s KARMA!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • OklahomaBound
      Posted on August 13, 2012 at 9:13pm

      When you put out a fire caused by a ‘green’ energy car (coal fired car) does the fireman‘s job then get counted as a ’green’ job?

      Report Post » OklahomaBound  
    • Teaparty-grammy
      Posted on August 14, 2012 at 1:44am

      I just think it is hilarious that they named it “Karma”. How very fitting, now that the Great Eared One’s crony capitalism chickens are coming home to roost!

      Report Post » Teaparty-grammy  
    • WATER-THE-TREE
      Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:23am

      I believe it is called a KARMA. LOL

      Report Post » WATER-THE-TREE  
    • truckinman1973
      Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:28am

      The firefighters are probably a little hesitant to spray water on it, after all, with these electric cars there is the threat of life threatening electrical shock. they already have problems if EV’s wreck because there is no one set area where the electrical cables run in these cars, it varies not just from make to make, but from model to model. that means that the rescue crews have no idea if they are about to cut into an electrical cable when they apply the jaws of life to free trapped accident victims. these electric cars are just awful, they have almost nothing going for them other then a short run government sponsored fad.

      Report Post »  
    • AProudConservative
      Posted on August 14, 2012 at 12:00pm

      DEATHTOUNG…… Yes another job for a UNION firefighter. Another proud moment for the Obama administration.

      Report Post » AProudConservative  
    • dogdr
      Posted on August 14, 2012 at 5:23pm

      Why so much animosity towards “green energy”? The point of renewable energy is to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Do you think it is a good thing we rely so heavily on the most unstable region of the world for our energy? Whether you believe in global warming or not, isn’t it a good thing to reduce pollution from cars? There are problems with electric cars, wind power, and solar, but that is what we are trying to work out. Did you expect cheap plentiful energy right away? Did you expect that new technology would be flawless right out of the gate? Remember when computer technology was new. Computing was expensive, the computers were huge and slow. Over time (and also with a push from government) computers got cheap and fast. Solar isn’t economical now but it gets closer every year with technology breakthroughs. “Green energy” what the future is all about and you want to stand with your internal combustion engines from the early part of the century as if they were the biggest innovation ever and no improvement is necessary. The future is happening and there will be more fires, more failures, more bankruptcies. That is part of the growing pains of new technology. When it works out we will all be better off for it.

      Report Post »  
  • doomytram
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:32pm

    Shared prosperity = giving a Karma to every other person on Welfare to go apply for jobs. Karma = Giving a Chevy (Gubbernutt Motors) Volt so that the others on Welfare can share in the Prosperity.

    One care doesn’t work and other Car catches on Fire = Paid for by the middle class in Obozo’s Amerika.

    Report Post » doomytram  
  • RANGER1965
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:26pm

    Why use the term “reportedly” when you have multiple pictures, multiple news sources, multiple witness and the guy who owned the car saying the same thing?

    When does the story change to: “BATTERY POWERED CAR BURNS UP IN PARKING LOT”??

    How about this?

    The Japanese reportedly bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7th 1941. The attack reported came as a shock to most Americans and it is reported that this attack led directly to American involvement in World War II. Reportedly in both the Pacific, and European theatres.

    Report Post » RANGER1965  
    • Leadthemtothelight
      Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:41pm

      Yay! Way to go green cars! Is this what the libs had in mind? To create battery powered fire death traps that will create more jobs for local fire departments. Is this why we all need Obamacare? To help pay for time spent in burn units? Dear Lord, please help Romney get elected and please bring back common sense.

      Report Post » Leadthemtothelight  
    • BSdetector
      Posted on August 14, 2012 at 12:26pm

      That gets under my skin too. Another is when they call criminals “suspects” even though they’re holed up in a building with a thousand police surrounding them.

      Report Post » BSdetector  
  • TeslanEdison
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:26pm

    Lets see, how many major manufactures have recalled seat heaters in the past 10 years, does anyone think that Fisker bothered to test their sub systems as extensively as they tested batteries and other systems they invented or manufactured. So in the end what probably killed that car was the low quality secondary components they purchased. If you want to build a new anything you need to test each of the systems in the environments they are likely to experience, my feeling is that if the FED is going to fund a green company they should have to meet DOD specifications before they deliver to the public.

    Report Post »  
  • Too_Far_Gone
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:23pm

    These should be official government vehicles ..

    Report Post » Too_Far_Gone  
    • CatB
      Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:28pm

      LOL … excellent — Obamamobiles perks for DemocRATS. Boom!

      Report Post »  
    • Leadthemtothelight
      Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:52pm

      LOL….agreed….ALL Demotards should have one of these. Just please don’t park it next to my pos. It‘s a pos but at least it doesn’t catch on fire…..muahhhhh….still laughing Karma…….hehehe aptly named.

      Report Post » Leadthemtothelight  
    • truckinman1973
      Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:41am

      Don’t worry, the U.S. government has bought hundreds of Chevy volts, so soon the government employee will know the thrill of the first car that doubles as a hibatchi grill. seriously, in the first 2 years the volt sold less then 2000 units, & most of them were bought as fleet vehicles by the government & a few left leaning corperations. GM is in the process of exporting most of their production to China, Chysler is getting most of their parts & designs from their new owners at Fiat, that just leaves Ford as the only real American automaker left.

      Report Post »  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:22pm

    I’m an animal lover, so I hope his dogma wasn’t in his karma……..

    Report Post »  
  • Bill Rowland
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:21pm

    This is the car that Sweet Old Barack invested in so they could open a plant in NJ. Cars are still built in Sweden. No jobs created except for extra firemen.

    OMG Nov 6, 2012

    Report Post »  
  • KeystoneState
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:19pm

    That car would be soooo sweet packing a gas gulping 6.0 V12!

    Report Post » KeystoneState  
  • Rayblue
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:16pm

    Fisker Karma’s gonna get you
    Gonna hit you right in the head
    You better get yourself a Chevy
    Or pretty soon you’re gonna be dead.

    Report Post » Rayblue  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:15pm

    Karma sucks…………and apparently it’s flammable ……..

    Report Post »  
  • Lotus503
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:12pm

    Spontaneous Karma combustion…

    Report Post »  
    • SCREW-WINDOWS
      Posted on August 13, 2012 at 6:22pm

      What else ya gonna do with a piece of crap ya can’t sell no one will take as a tradein (Insurance Claim).

      Report Post » SCREW-WINDOWS  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:10pm

    “A Fisker Karma driver from Woodside, California parked his hybrid at the grocery store…”

    That what happens when you take your “Green Car” to a non-Organic grocery store. It’s programed to not allow the intake of non-Organic food.

    I guess his Karma burnt up his Dogma…..

    Report Post » The-Monk  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:24pm

      Hi MONK, it’s Flamin`

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:49pm

      Hi RJJ,

      The least Fisker could do is add a chemical to the Karma Kar so that the Flamin’ flames are “green”.

      Perhaps they should also call it the Boy George Flamin’ Karma Chameleon car…. you know, it “comes and goes” all on it’s own. LOL

      Report Post » The-Monk  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:09pm

    The hybrid fireball could be used to grill some chick fil-a.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • goahead.makemyday
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:09pm

    Receptionist: FIsker automotive how may I help you?
    Idiot: Yes my new Karma just caught on fire what should I do?
    R: Have you called the fire department yet?
    I: No I figured since it‘s made by your company you’d know what to do better than the fire department would.
    R: …..Please hang up the phone and call 911 sir. Thank you and good bye.
    R:Hey Bill another one just caught on fire, could you call legal for me?

    Report Post » goahead.makemyday  
  • JACKTHETOAD
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:08pm

    Wish I was there. I woulda lit a smoke off of it.

    Report Post » JACKTHETOAD  
  • GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:08pm

    I sincerely can’t understand how Barry´s administration gets to be related to every single failure in your country….bizarre world overachievement!!

    Report Post » GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas  
    • Leadthemtothelight
      Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:55pm

      Because indirectly his policies are to blame for most of the ills of our great country today. And please remember if you have a business you didn’t build it you had Uncle Sams help so really it belongs to the government. See the circle?

      Report Post » Leadthemtothelight  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on August 13, 2012 at 6:54pm

      its *Karma*

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
  • searching for the Truth
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:07pm

    DC voltage has to have a lot of heat sinks.

    Report Post »  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:07pm

    November can not get here soon enough……I pray we awake from this national nightmare…..

    Report Post »  
    • ObserverOnTheHill
      Posted on August 13, 2012 at 9:53pm

      My real concern is two-fold. The Illegals and electronic vote fraud. Watch the youtube video here of sworn Congressional testimony by a computer programmer who was able to program the Diebold voting machines to give any outcome count desired. When it’s programmed to come out 51-49 so everyone says “Oh, we were so close” believing the results. Electronic voting is a very serious problem.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7R1_ixtlyc

      Report Post »  
  • T-2
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:06pm

    We need to invest more into it.

    Report Post »  
    • doomytram
      Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:25pm

      Only if we could loan a billion more and when then fail they can go bankrupt and not have to pay any of the free gubbernutt money back. Sure that’s the ticket

      Report Post » doomytram  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:05pm

    How can I get some free millions of Obama money for my fairy dust powered magic carpet ????? I’m thinking 200 million or so ……………

    Report Post »  
    • T-2
      Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:19pm

      You‘ll get more if it’s green magic dust.

      Report Post »  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:28pm

      The first thing you need to do is capture a leprachaun and a unicorn. Sodomize them with pinochios nose until they cry. Collect the tears and then develope a car that runs off of those tears. You will get a magical 100,000 miles to the gallon of Unicorn and Leprachaun tears.

      Now this may seem cruel, but just think how many caribou, seals, baby birds and fish we will save.

      So, you have to choose a side, are you for fish/birds/caribou, or are you for raping imaginary creatures to get magical gas mileage.

      I am Barrack Obama, and I endorse the torturing of imaginary creatures…..unless they have a union that would like to donate to me, then I am against it.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • JACKTHETOAD
      Posted on August 13, 2012 at 9:20pm

      LOL DARMOK! Makes me glad I’m just a toad.

      Report Post » JACKTHETOAD  
  • chips1
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:04pm

    The Obama machine is a quick route to Satans lair. He is turning up the heat.

    Report Post »  
  • doomytram
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:04pm

    Karma = Obozo Green Jobs Hybrid cost’s 100K to the buyer and catches on fire. Oh but the good news is that the Karma only cost’s you and me $500 to $800 million in Tax money flushed down the giant Green Jobs federal toilet bowl. America we need a self avowed communist to make that deal.. This is Van Jones COMMIE Czar and Obozo’s Amerika.

    Report Post » doomytram  
    • taxpro4u03
      Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:18pm

      Karma – appropriately named and in this case perhaps 7-fold negative return on ‘investment.’ (?) Burn dinosaurs – we GOT a handle on most of that… :-)

      Report Post »  
  • Too_Far_Gone
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:02pm

    Good with some luck they will all explode (With no one in them.)

    Build the pipeline and get back to being AMERICA ..

    Report Post » Too_Far_Gone  
  • FREEDOMoverFEAR
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:02pm

    The guy probably just had bad Karma.

    Report Post » FREEDOMoverFEAR  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on August 13, 2012 at 5:01pm

    I guess Karma really IS a bitc&………

    Report Post »  
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