Key facts
- Over 30 Jaecoo hybrid SUVs caught fire at Southampton docks.
- The vehicles were customer-owned and valued at nearly £1 million.
- The fires occurred while the vehicles were in the care of National Vehicle Distribution (NVD).
- The incidents precede new Chinese EV battery safety regulations set for July 1.
More than 30 Jaecoo hybrid SUVs, collectively valued at nearly £1 million, caught fire at Southampton docks. Images show significant damage to the vehicles, with some completely destroyed and large plumes of black smoke visible. All affected vehicles had already been purchased by customers and were in the care of National Vehicle Distribution (NVD) when the fires broke out. This event occurs just weeks before China is scheduled to implement new electric vehicle battery safety regulations on July 1, aimed at preventing fires and explosions.