24th October 2025 – (Shanghai) A Li Auto MEGA electric vehicle erupted in flames while travelling along Caobao Road in Shanghai’s Minhang District on Thursday evening, resulting in the complete destruction of the premium people carrier. Dramatic footage shows the incident beginning with visible sparks emanating from the vehicle’s undercarriage before rapidly escalating into a full-scale fire.
Both occupants managed to evacuate the vehicle safely before the blaze intensified, though the owner’s legal representative subsequently reported difficulties with the rear electric doors during the emergency exit. The statement indicated the passenger ultimately escaped through the front passenger door as smoke filled the cabin.
The vehicle’s owner has formally refuted online speculation regarding potential causes, specifically denying allegations of previous battery damage, electrical system modifications, or pre-existing mechanical issues. Legal representatives have been instructed to address what they describe as misinformation circulating about the incident.
Li Auto, the manufacturer behind the MEGA model, has confirmed that all occupants exited safely and that company representatives have been dispatched to assist with the investigation. Local fire authorities have extinguished the blaze and are conducting standard procedures to determine the precise origin of the fire.
This incident occurs amidst heightened public attention regarding electric vehicle safety in China, following several recent high-profile fires involving different manufacturers. The MEGA model represents Li Auto’s inaugural fully electric vehicle, featuring battery technology developed in partnership with Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL). Marketed as meeting exceptional thermal safety standards, the vehicle’s power system had undergone extensive testing protocols according to company specifications.
The destroyed vehicle, with a starting price of approximately 529,800 yuan, utilised proprietary fast-charging technology capable of providing 500 kilometres of range with a 12-minute charge under optimal conditions. The investigation continues while industry observers monitor developments closely amid growing electric vehicle adoption nationwide.
