Rodents in the engine.
Sarah Williams, a 41-year-old American owner of a Tesla Model 3, discovered that a rat had taken up residence in her electric vehicle.
The animal was found in the glove box during a visit to the repairer.
The forty-something had gone to the garage because of an air conditioner problem that had stopped working.
It quickly turned out that the rodent had installed itself in the car and had cut the cables associated with the cooling of the cabin, reports the
New York Post
relayed by
Phonandroid
.
Rodents chow down on Tesla's, soy based wiring causing thousands in damage https://t.co/4aypyXT9j7 // rats!
- lb fowler jr md (@lbfjrmd) July 11, 2021
Tesla will not refund
If the rat was interested in the electrical installation, it is because the insulation used by the Tesla has a strong smell of soy.
“Most automakers prefer soybeans to petroleum for wire insulation for newer vehicles because it's cheaper and better for the environment,” said Jose Solis, advisor at Tesla.
The driver tried to obtain reimbursement for this repair, which cost 5,000 dollars and immobilized her car for a month.
In vain.
"The use of this material would not be considered as a" defect "of design or use", justified the advisor Tesla.
“Considering that there are too many factors beyond Tesla's control, we cannot cover this under warranty or repair.
"
The use of soy for cable insulation is not unique to Tesla.
Other manufacturers have been doing the same for several years.
Which means, attracted by the tantalizing scent, the rats could prey on other vehicle models.
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