Explosion – Edit so they sent my battery to be tested didn’t check if the company could test it Picture added this took months to get

Some time before the incident, I had an 80Ah DCS Extrem battery professionally installed in the default battery location of my Holden Commodore by a licensed auto electrician. The vehicle had been driven several times without issue since the installation.

However, on August 24, 2023, while my son and I were traveling to Murray Bridge to visit a friend, we experienced a terrifying incident. A violent explosion erupted from the rear of our vehicle with such force that it dislodged the sunroof control module from the roof trim. As I glanced in the rearview mirror, I was horrified to see a massive fireball. At the time, we were traveling at 100 km/h. The fear I felt in that moment was overwhelming as I tried to safely bring the vehicle to a stop and ensure my son’s safety.

After managing to stop the car, I quickly exited and rushed to the rear passenger door, which was already engulfed in flames. In the process of rescuing my son, I suffered burns that singed off my eyebrows and some hair, but thankfully, I was able to get him out unharmed. Once we were at a safe distance, I called the Fire Brigade, who arrived within 15 minutes. Unfortunately, by the time they got there, the fire had consumed the rear of the vehicle and much of its interior.

One vivid memory from that day is the sight of the battery shooting cells into the air, floating like fiery parachutes. These burning cells started a fire on the opposite side of the road and even disrupted the water supply for the town of Monarto.

A couple of weeks before the incident, I had contacted DCS about an issue with the battery’s balancing. They assured me it was just a problem with the BMS needing recalibration. After the fire, I reached out to DCS again to report the incident. Instead of addressing my concerns directly, they requested receipts for the audio system installation in my vehicle, attempting to shift the blame. After this, all communication was handled through their lawyer, who instructed me to box up the burnt remains of the battery for examination.

When I tried to ship the battery via TNT, they refused to accept it due to its damaged state. DCS eventually arranged for a courier to collect it from my residence, claiming they would send it for examination. However, after months of being given the runaround, they informed me that the battery had been sent to China for assessment, only to be rejected for testing due to its burnt condition. When I requested the battery be returned, DCS told me I would have to arrange for a courier myself.

It became clear that DCS was more focused on damage control than resolving the issue. They never provided proof or documentation confirming the battery was sent to Shenzen, China, and I doubt it was ever truly examined. To this day, I have not reached a resolution with DCS.

My initial review of this battery led to threats of legal action from DCS when I attempted to share my story. People need to be aware of the potential dangers of using lithium batteries in passenger vehicles.