Last August, during a mountain biking trip, Petteri Arovainio stopped at a charging station in Muonio to charge his electric Audi. As he began the charging process via an app, a loud explosion was heard from the charger, releasing thick, acrid smoke. Noticing the sudden malfunction, Arovainio expressed his concern about potential fire hazards, although there were no visible flames. After disconnecting the cable, he attempted to move his car, only to discover that all warning lights were on and the vehicle was inoperable.

Arovainio attempted to contact the customer service of Recharge, the charging company, for answers regarding the malfunction but received no clear guidance on the nature of the issue. Consequently, both he and his friend had to arrange for a tow service for his damaged Audi and a rental car for the remainder of their journey home. They successfully secured these alternatives, with the Audi eventually being transported to Rovaniemi for repairs.

The incident has raised concerns about the reliability of electric vehicle charging stations, particularly in remote locations. With Arovainio now facing an 8,500 euro repair bill, there is an ongoing discussion about accountability and whether charging companies should be responsible for damages incurred due to equipment failures. This event highlights the growing need for improved standards and safety protocols in the EV charging industry as more people embrace electric vehicles.