Walmart is Suing Tesla Over Fires At Several Stores

In a report from CNBC, big box retailer Walmart is suing electric vehicle maker Tesla over solar panels that ignited into fires at seven of its stores.

According to a court filing, Walmart is suing Tesla for a breach of contract after the solar panels ignited atop seven of the retailer’s stores.

Currently over 240 Walmart stores have Tesla solar systems installed and the latter has even pre-ordered at least 45 Tesla electric semi-trucks for its vehicle fleet.

Walmart’s lawsuit alleges a breach of contract, gross negligence and failure to live up to industry standards. It is asking Tesla to remove solar panels from more than 240 Walmart locations where they have been installed, and to pay damages related to all the fires Walmart says that Tesla caused.

The lawsuit states: “As of November 2018, no fewer than seven Walmart stores had experienced fires due to Tesla’s solar systems – including the four fires described above and three others that had occurred earlier.” The filing details evacuations, damaged property and inventory.

Walmart alleges that “Tesla routinely deployed individuals to inspect the solar systems who lacked basic solar training and knowledge.”

The company also claims that Tesla failed to ground its solar and electrical systems properly, and that Tesla-installed solar panels on-site at Walmart stores contained a high number of defects. These defects were visible to the naked eye and Tesla should have found and repaired before they led to fires.

Disclaimer: We have no position in any of the companies mentioned and have not been compensated for this article.