Tesla has become embroiled in a safety row in China after two people were killed and three were injured when a driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle and ploughed into oncoming traffic.
The crash involved a Tesla Model Y and reportedly began when the driver was attempting to park the vehicle, but then started accelerating rapidly to speed of 123mph, hitting other vehicles and a cyclist before smashing into a wall.
The vehicle’s 55-year-old driver claimed the car’s brakes weren’t working, local media reported.
Video of the crash, which took place on November 5 in Chaozhou in China’s southern Guangdong province, was shared widely on social media．
Police rule out alcohol or drugs
Traffic police ruled out the possibility of the driver being under the influence of drugs or alcohol and said that the vehicle would be tested.
Tesla on Sunday said the video showed that the car's brake lights were not on when the car was speeding and that telemetry data showed there was no attempt to step on the brakes during the vehicle's two-kilometre journey.
The company said it will “actively provide any necessary aid” to the local police probe, which may involve a third-party investigator.
The driver, who claimed to have more than 20 years of driving experience, told local media on Monday that he never stepped on the accelerator but the car suddenly accelerated after he pressed the parking brake.
'Not an isolated case' of 'brake problem'
China is Tesla's second-largest market, and the crash was among the top trending topics on Chinese social media on Monday, where many users cast doubt on the safety of the company’s electric vehicles.
“This is not an isolated case of the Tesla brake problem,” wrote one user.
Many accidents related to Tesla’s unintended acceleration have been reported in China and other parts of the world in the past two years.
Car experts have pointed out that Tesla’s one-pedal driving feature, which enables drivers to control their cars by using the throttle to accelerate and regenerative braking to slow down, can confuse the driver.
Other users criticised Tesla’s handling of accusations of brakes failing.
“Every time [Tesla] said the log showed no problem and then left it - is this the attitude a company should have?” Wrote another user.