Not only is the Tesla Model S
Not only is the Tesla Model S battery low slung under the vehicle, but the S Model has a nifty suspension system that lowers the car at highway speeds to improve the aerodynamics at those higher speeds. To me this explains why two of the recent fires have been highway fires, being very low to the ground makes the battery more prone to debris impacts than a Volt or LEAF which sit higher off the ground. I imagine the number of strikes and force of these strikes the Tesla receives is higher than for other EV's. If I were Tesla I'd fit a camera or radar at the front of the vehicle and use it for two purposes. 1. Input to a collision avoidance system like on some Fords. 2. To raise the suspension when road debris is detected ahead. Tesla could market the camera/radar as a new feature while quietly addressing the debris fire isues.