Faraday Future Prototype Went Up in Flames, Takes The Office With It
Faraday Future’s struggles continue as an early FF 91 prototype went up in flames inside the company’s Los Angeles headquarters, taking part of the office with it. The California-based startup, already battling limited sales (only 16 units delivered as of early 2025, with a few more in Q1 2025) and a reputation for bold promises, faced a dramatic setback when the prototype caught fire. While no injuries were reported, the incident highlights the ongoing challenges for Faraday Future as it attempts to establish itself in the competitive EV market alongside giants like Tesla and Lucid.
The Fire in Faraday’s Office: An Early Prototype Involved
According to Faraday Future, the fire occurred on September 28, 2025, at its satellite office in Los Angeles, which is part of its U.S. headquarters. The LA Fire Department responded at 4:37 a.m. and managed to extinguish the blaze within 40 minutes. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, and evacuations were deemed unnecessary. However, a minor explosion did occur, prompting an inspection for possible structural damage to the building.
The vehicle involved was identified as FF 91 prototype designated B40, one of the earliest beta units used primarily for engineering and display purposes. Preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical short in the car’s 12-volt system or in the showroom wiring providing external power. While the fire resulted in some wall damage to the building, the company stated that all windows remained intact, and the majority of headquarters operations continued unaffected.
Crucially, the vehicle’s main battery pack, which uses 18650-type cylindrical cells and had been in service for nearly nine years, did not ignite and was ruled out as the source of the fire. Much of the lower structure of the prototype, including the subframe, wheels, and cabin floor, also remained intact.
Not Connected to Production Models: Faraday Future’s Reassurance
In a statement released via social media, Faraday Future quickly moved to reassure stakeholders that the incident was limited solely to a beta prototype and has no connection to current production vehicles. The company emphasized its commitment to safety as a top priority and confirmed it would conduct a thorough investigation in collaboration with authorities.
Faraday Future also explicitly stated that no recall of FF 91 production models is expected, citing key differences in construction and materials between the early prototype and the vehicles currently being delivered. As part of its response to the incident, the company plans to strengthen safety systems and review fire prevention measures across all its facilities. This incident serves as another hurdle for Faraday Future as it navigates the complex and highly scrutinized landscape of EV production and market entry.
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