Summary
– EVs do not catch fire more often than combustion vehicles, based on available data sets
– Studies show that combustion vehicles produce four to five times as many fires as EVs
– When EVs do catch fire, it can be more challenging for fire departments to extinguish due to thermal runway and reignition risks
– EV fires require more time and water to extinguish than combustion engine fires
– While there is a small risk of EV battery fires, it is probably not a significant concern for prospective EV buyers based on comparisons with other devices using lithium-ion batteries
Article
Despite the common myth that electric vehicles (EVs) are more prone to catching fire, studies have shown that EVs actually catch fire at a much lower rate than combustion vehicles. For example, a study by EV Fire Safe in Australia found that only 0.0012% of EVs caught fire compared to 0.1% of combustion vehicles from 2010 to 2020. Similarly, in Norway, combustion vehicles were found to produce four to five times as many fires as EVs. Additionally, a study by the Swedish Contingencies Agency for 2022 found that all fuel types produced 68 fires per 100,000 vehicles compared to 3.8 fires per 100,000 vehicles for EVs. While the number of EV fires is expected to increase as more battery packs age, it is unlikely to surpass the number of fires in combustion vehicles.
When EVs do catch fire, the situation can be more dangerous than combustion vehicle fires. This is due to the nature of lithium-ion batteries used in EVs, which can enter a condition known as thermal runaway, causing the fire to be self-sustaining and releasing flammable vapor that can explode. Fire departments may struggle to put out EV fires, as accessing the battery pack can be challenging and require a significant amount of water. For example, a fire at Nissan’s Tennessee headquarters required 45,000 gallons of water to extinguish, much more than what is typically needed for a combustion engine fire.
Despite the potential dangers of EV fires, the risk should not be a significant concern for prospective EV buyers. The use of lithium-ion batteries in EVs is similar to many modern devices, which can hold a high amount of energy in a small space but also pose a small risk of catching fire if faulty or damaged. Companies like Samsung and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have dealt with similar issues with faulty batteries in devices like phones and hoverboards. The Federal Aviation Administration also bans lithium-ion batteries from checked airplane luggage due to the potential fire risk. However, the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries in EVs are generally considered to be low.
Overall, while the perception that EVs are more prone to catching fire may persist in the mainstream media, studies have shown that EVs actually catch fire at a much lower rate than combustion vehicles. When EV fires do occur, they can be more challenging to extinguish due to the nature of lithium-ion batteries and the release of flammable vapor. Despite these challenges, the risk of an EV catching fire is generally low, and prospective buyers should not be overly concerned about this aspect of EV safety. As the technology continues to evolve and improve, the likelihood of EV fires occurring is expected to decrease even further.
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