(Yicai Global) June 6 -- Chinese authorities are investigating as a Volkswagen ID.4X sport-utility vehicle collided with a toll booth and caught fire in Hangzhou, causing four deaths.

The public security bureau of the capital city of Zhejiang province has begun its probe into the accident, local newspaper Dushi Kuaibao reported, citing the bureau.

Neither Volkswagen’s joint venture SAIC-Volkswagen Automotive nor the German automaker’s China arm have commented on the incident.

Surveillance camera footage from yesterday shows how the electric vehicle did not slow down before driving into the toll facility, quickly igniting, and employees of the station used fire extinguishers to try and rescue people in the car without success.

ID.4X is the first pure-electric SUV released by SAIC-Volkswagen. Launched in 2021, the model is priced between CNY199,900 and CNY272,900 (USD28,079 and USD38,333) after subsidies. The car is equipped with a ternary lithium battery that has a cell provided by Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology.

Catching fire after a crash is one of the biggest security risks of new energy vehicles as batteries ignite easily and deflagrate, per Liu Hao, analyst. This is why carmakers try to reduce the risks but that involves the design and efficiency of batteries and thermal management systems. Another analyst said that NEV makers have been focusing on extending ranges by improving batteries' energy density and reducing car weight but that increases the related fire danger.

China introduced new safety requirements for electric vehicles and batteries in January 2021. Cars released before this may not be compliant with the higher requirements, another analyst said.

Editor: Emmi Laine