Fire Incident Involving Lynk & Co 900 in Hangzhou
A Lynk & Co 900, a plug-in hybrid SUV, caught fire in Hangzhou, China, on September 9, 2026. Local dealerships have denied claims that the fire was caused by a high-voltage battery. Instead, they suggested that a consumer power bank was dropped and kicked under the vehicle before the fire started. An official investigation is ongoing to determine the precise cause.
Incident Details
- Time & Location: The fire occurred around 4:06 PM on a commercial street in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.
- Bystander Reports: Footage captured by bystanders showed smoke and flames coming from beneath the SUV, which was later extinguished by firefighters. However, it’s unclear if the traction battery was involved in the fire.
Dealership’s Statement
On September 10, the Hangzhou Lingyue Lynk & Co Centre released a statement attributing the fire to the power bank incident, while also noting the need for an official Fire Accident Certificate to confirm the cause. There has been no formal determination yet, and no forensic data or telemetry has been made public.
Technical Background of the Lynk & Co 900
The Lynk & Co 900 is a flagship three-row PHEV SUV that launched in 2025. Its architectural design includes protections for the battery, which are intended to prevent external fires from causing thermal runaway. Key features include:
- Battery Capacities: Options of 44.9 kWh and 52.4 kWh battery packs from suppliers CALB and CATL respectively.
- Safety Features: The vehicle’s underbody includes several non-metallic components designed to shield critical areas from fire.
Comparison of Power Sources
A typical consumer 10,000 mAh power bank only contains approximately 0.037 kWh of power, which pales in comparison to the over 40 kWh within the Lynk & Co 900’s battery. This raises questions about the potential of such an external device, even if it can ignite surrounding materials under certain conditions.
Regulatory Context
China’s GB 38031-2025 battery safety standard, enacted on July 1, 2026, aims to ensure the safety of lithium batteries in vehicles, yet the adoption of these standards does not automatically clarify the ignition source for specific incidents.
Conclusion
In summary, while speculation surrounding the cause of the Lynk & Co 900 fire includes a dropped power bank, the investigation is still ongoing, and no definitive cause has been established. The official inquiry will aim to clarify whether the fire originated from the battery, an external object, or another source entirely.
