An Avatr 06 electric sedan, a collaborative effort from Changan, Huawei, and CATL, recently erupted in flames in China, causing damage to seven nearby vehicles. The incident, which occurred in Dongbi Village, Ningde City, Fujian Province, involved a vehicle reportedly purchased in late August 2025 and had accumulated just over 1,000 km in roughly a month and a half.
The Incident
On the evening of October 5, witnesses reported the Avatr 06 igniting in a parking area, with images showing significant fire and smoke. The blaze unfortunately spread, damaging an Audi, BMW, Mazda, and Aion, among others. Thankfully, there were no reported casualties from this alarming event.
Owner’s Account and Speculation
The owner of the burnt Avatr 06 shared some insights, stating she acquired the car on August 28, 2025, and it had a mere 1,066 km on the odometer. Intriguingly, her Avatr App indicated an internal temperature of 76.4 degrees Celsius just before the fire, with smoke initially emerging from the front passenger seat area. While the manufacturer has reportedly been in contact with the owner, no official statement has been released from Avatr, Changan, or CATL.
Speculation regarding the cause leans away from the battery, which is a common concern in EV fires. Automotive blogger Yu Dianke suggested that accessories placed on the center console might have concentrated sunlight, triggering the ignition. Another theory points to a perfume explosion, a less common but plausible scenario.
About the Avatr 06
Launched in China on April 19, 2025, the Avatr 06 is a mid-size electric sedan. This marks the first reported fire incident for the model. The vehicle utilizes a CATL-made Shenxing LFP battery with a 72.88 kWh capacity, featuring an 800V system and advanced overcurrent protection. For those interested in extended range, the Avatr 06 EREV variant offers Freevoy LFP batteries in 31.7 kWh and 45.06 kWh options, providing a range between 170 to 240 km. The pure EV version also boasts impressive figures, with a 72.88 kWh battery pack giving a CLTC range between 600-650 km. It comes in two drive configurations, a single 252 kW (338 hp) rear-wheel-drive motor, or a 4WD setup with two motors producing a combined 440 kW (590 hp).
Measuring 4855mm in length, 1960mm in width, and 1450mm in height, with a 2,940 mm wheelbase, the Avatr 06 offers an interior dominated by a large, cross-console screen and an additional floating touchscreen for the driver. Optional features include cameras replacing traditional side-view mirrors. Its price in China ranges from 209,900 to 279,900 yuan (approximately 29,480 to 39,315 USD).
According to China EV DataTracker, Avatr had shifted 24,150 units of the 06 from April to August 2025. This incident will undoubtedly lead to further investigation into the safety protocols and design of the vehicle. Meanwhile, the broader market continues to see robust growth, with a growing interest in electric vehicles across China. Many brands are electrifying their line-up and expanding their product range. For example, Avatr has also debuted the 06 Elite with LiDAR technology. More recently, Changan too has been making strides in its electrification efforts, as it hit its “production milestone of 30 million vehicles”, read more about it here. Additionally, its subsidiary Deepal announced that it’s focused on making world-leading EV technology by 2026.
