Umair Gaines
Electric vehicles (EVs) have been the subject of scrutiny in recent years, with concerns arising over their potential to explode or catch fire when submerged in water, particularly saltwater. This has sparked debates and investigations into the safety of these vehicles, especially in coastal areas prone to flooding and hurricanes. While electric vehicles offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional gas-powered cars, the question of their vulnerability to water damage and the resulting safety implications has become a pressing issue for both manufacturers and consumers. In the following paragraphs, we will delve into the facts surrounding this topic, exploring the risks, causes, and potential solutions associated with electric vehicles and their interaction with water.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Do electric vehicles explode in water? | Electric vehicles do not explode in water, but they can explode when submerged in saltwater. |
| Electric vehicles in flood water | Responders should avoid touching the vehicle as exposed orange HV cables may not be visible underwater. |
| Submerged electric vehicles electrifying the water around them | A submerged electric vehicle does not electrify the water around it, but if bubbles are present in the water, it may indicate thermal runaway. |
| Electric vehicles catching fire | Electric vehicles can catch fire when submerged in saltwater. |
| Electric vehicles safer than gas vehicles | Electric vehicles are much less of a threat to catch fire than gas vehicles. |
| Data on fires in electric vehicles | Data from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board shows that there are approximately 25 fires for every 100,000 electric vehicles sold, compared to 1,530 fires for every 100,000 gas-powered vehicles sold. |
| Electric vehicles and hurricanes | Electric vehicles are at risk of catching fire during hurricanes due to saltwater flooding. |
| Preventing electric vehicle fires | Responders should check if the electric vehicle is connected to charging, as this poses a serious electrocution risk. |
| Recovering a submerged electric vehicle | It is safe to recover a submerged electric vehicle in the same way as any other vehicle. |
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What You'll Learn
Electric vehicles do not electrify surrounding water
Electric vehicles (EVs) have been the centre of controversy, with many people fearing that they explode when submerged in water. This fear has been heightened by town mayors and county sheriffs, who have referred to the cars as "ticking time bombs". However, this is a misconception.
While it is true that electric vehicles can catch fire when submerged in water, this is not because the water surrounding the vehicle becomes electrified. In fact, a submerged EV does not electrify the water around it. Electric vehicle safety systems and battery packs are designed to be safe in water, even if fully submerged. However, it is important to note that emergency agencies do not recommend driving through floodwater.
The risk of fire arises from the interaction of salt water with the EV's lithium-ion battery. Salt water can corrode the walls of the battery cells and the electronics between them. When the salt water drains away, it leaves behind salt crystals, which conduct electricity. This can cause a short circuit, leading to a chain reaction of short circuits called "thermal runaway". Thermal runaway can also occur in the presence of bubbles in the water, as the bubbles may contain toxic gases.
It is important to note that the risk of fire is relatively rare and primarily occurs when EVs are submerged in salt water for extended periods. Data from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board shows that there are approximately 25 fires for every 100,000 EVs sold, compared to 1,530 fires for every 100,000 gas-powered vehicles sold. Therefore, while it is crucial to exercise caution and follow safety guidelines, the risk of an EV electrifying surrounding water and causing an explosion is non-existent.
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Salt water corrodes battery cells, causing short circuits
While electric vehicles (EVs) are generally designed to be safe in water, even when fully submerged, there are risks associated with saltwater flooding. Saltwater flooding can cause corrosion in EV battery cells, leading to short circuits and potential fires.
EV batteries are composed of thousands of interconnected cells filled with an electrolyte solution. When saltwater penetrates these cells, it can corrode their walls and the electronics between them. As the saltwater drains away, it leaves behind a trail of salt crystals, which are conductive and can cause the battery to short circuit. This short circuit can lead to a chain reaction of short circuits within the battery, known as "thermal runaway."
Thermal runaway can cause the battery to heat up and trigger a chemical reaction, resulting in a fire that may be challenging to control. The steel encasing the battery also prolongs the cooling process, requiring a significant amount of water to extinguish the blaze. This phenomenon has been observed in the aftermath of hurricanes, where flooded EVs have caught fire, prompting warnings from insurers, carmakers, fire chiefs, and politicians to EV owners in coastal areas.
To prevent short circuits and thermal runaway, it is crucial to avoid submerging EV batteries in saltwater. While EV batteries are sealed to keep water out, these seals can deteriorate over time, making them vulnerable to saltwater intrusion. In the event of saltwater exposure, it is essential to refrain from charging the battery and instead safely dispose of it to mitigate the risk of short circuits and potential fires.
Additionally, it is worth noting that responders handling submerged EVs should exercise caution. While the vehicles themselves do not electrify the surrounding water, responders should be vigilant for signs of thermal runaway, such as bubbles, loud popping, hissing, whistling, or vapour. Following standard operating procedures and manufacturer-supplied emergency response guides is crucial for safe handling.
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Thermal runaway: a chain reaction of short circuits
Electric vehicles (EVs) are designed to be safe in water, even if fully submerged. However, in rare cases, salt water flooding can trigger a chain reaction of short circuits called "thermal runaway". This is an uncontrollable chain reaction in a lithium-ion battery cell that can lead to a fire hazard.
In ideal conditions, the lithium-ion cells of a battery can dissipate the heat generated by the movement of electrons and ions to produce electricity. But in thermal runaway, battery cells are unstable, and temperatures rise at a very fast rate, reaching extremely high values of approximately 752°F. This causes materials inside the cell to start breaking down and decomposing. The result can be fire, the release of toxic/flammable gases, and possible explosions.
There are three stages to the thermal runaway process. Stage 1 involves the onset of overheating of the battery system. The batteries change from a normal to an abnormal state due to an internal or external factor, and the internal temperature starts to increase. Stage 2 is when the internal temperature continues to increase, leading to the release of oxygen and heat. Stage 3 is when the released oxygen and heat from stage 2 provide the required conditions for the combustion of flammable organic electrolytes, thereby leading to fires and even explosions.
Internal short circuits, which can be caused by physical damage or excessively high discharge rates, can trigger thermal runaway. In the case of EVs, salt water flooding can lead to internal short circuits by corroding the walls of the battery cells and the electronics between them. This leaves behind a path of salt crystals, which conduct electricity and can cause the battery to short circuit and heat up. This triggers a chemical reaction within the battery, further pushing temperatures higher in a process called "thermal runaway".
To prevent thermal runaway, it is important to avoid overcharging the battery, exposing it to high temperatures, and allowing it to discharge below the manufacturer-recommended lower voltage threshold. Additionally, new materials and designs for anodes and cathodes are constantly being developed to enhance safety.
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Electric vehicles are less likely to catch fire than gas vehicles
Electric vehicles (EVs) are less likely to catch fire than gas-powered cars. This is contrary to the common perception that EVs are more likely to catch fire. This misconception is probably because when EVs do catch fire, it gets reported in the news. However, data from the US National Transportation Safety Board shows that there are approximately 25 fires for every 100,000 EVs sold, compared to 1,530 fires for every 100,000 gas-powered vehicles sold. Australia's Department of Defence research supports this, finding that there was a 0.0012% chance of a passenger electric vehicle battery catching fire, compared to 0.1% for internal combustion engine cars.
The media tends to report on rare and new events because common and old occurrences are not very newsworthy. However, a few news stories can make an idea catch on, even when there isn't any data to support it. For example, in the case of Hurricane Milton, there were fears of EVs exploding when submerged in saltwater, with town mayors and county sheriffs calling the cars "ticking time bombs". However, this risk is unique to coastal areas and hurricane zones and does not reflect the general risk of EVs catching fire.
The reason EVs are less likely to catch fire is that a fire has to start for an electric car to catch fire. In contrast, for a gas-powered car to catch fire, it just has to fail to contain its fire. Additionally, the number of EVs on the road is still small, and they would have to vastly outnumber internal combustion engines to be responsible for an equal number of combustions.
While EVs are less likely to catch fire, it is important to note that EV fires are harder to put out and can be more intense. This is because they require more water to extinguish, can burn almost three times hotter, and can take hours to put out. Additionally, in rare cases, saltwater flooding can trigger a chain reaction of short circuits called ""thermal runaway," which can be challenging to control.
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Responders should avoid touching a submerged electric vehicle
In the unlikely event that a responder comes into contact with both the positive and negative sides of the battery system and becomes the 'path of least resistance', there is an electrocution risk. This scenario is possible if the EV has suffered major collision damage. Responders should also be aware of exposed orange HV cables, which may not be visible underwater.
Additionally, if an EV is still connected to charging, exposure to live charging using AC grid power poses a serious electrocution risk. Responders should also be aware of signs of thermal runaway, which may include loud popping, hissing, whistling noises, large clouds of vapour, or jet-like flames. Thermal runaway may occur several weeks or even months after submersion, so it is advisable to quarantine the EV until it can be fully assessed.
If the EV has been submerged in saltwater, there is an increased risk of battery short circuits, which can lead to a battery fire. Saltwater can corrode the walls of the battery cells and the electronics between them, leaving behind salt crystals that conduct electricity. This can cause the battery to short circuit and heat up, triggering a chemical reaction that further increases the temperature, potentially resulting in a fire.
Therefore, responders should exercise extreme caution and avoid touching or coming into close contact with a submerged EV. It is crucial to follow the recommended safety protocols and refer to agency-specific standard operating procedures (SOPs) when dealing with such incidents.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric vehicles do not explode when they come into contact with water, but they can explode when they come into contact with saltwater.
Saltwater can corrode the walls of the battery cells and the electronics between them. When the saltwater drains away, it leaves behind salt crystals, which conduct electricity and can cause the battery to short-circuit and heat up. This triggers a chain reaction within the battery called "thermal runaway", which can result in a fire.
Data from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board shows that there are approximately 25 fires for every 100,000 electric vehicles sold. This is significantly lower than the number of fires for gas-powered vehicles, which is approximately 1,530 for every 100,000 sold.
If your electric vehicle is submerged in water, you should refer to your manufacturer's Emergency Response Guide for removal and towing instructions. It is recommended to keep the vehicle at least 50 feet away from structures and to have a mechanic inspect it.
While electric vehicles do not electrify the water around them, responders should be cautious of exposed orange HV cables and signs of thermal runaway, such as loud popping, hissing, or whistling noises. There is also a risk of electrocution if the vehicle is connected to a live charge using AC grid power.
