Trystan Casey
Electric vehicles (EVs) have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people making the switch from traditional gas-powered cars. However, one concern that has been raised, particularly in regions with cold winters, is the potential impact of road salt on these vehicles. Road salt is commonly used to melt snow and ice, but does it pose a risk to electric vehicles? This question has come into sharper focus following several incidents of EVs catching fire after being exposed to saltwater during hurricanes and floods. While the likelihood of an EV fire is generally low, the presence of salt water appears to increase this risk, potentially due to the conductive nature of salt and its ability to trigger short circuits in lithium-ion batteries. This has raised concerns about the safety of EVs in coastal and flood-prone areas, as well as the potential long-term effects of road salt on EV undercarriages.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does road salt explode electric vehicles? | No, but salt water can cause electric vehicles to catch fire. |
| Reason | Salt water is highly conductive and can cause lithium-ion batteries to short circuit and ignite. |
| Risk factors | Exposure to saltwater, especially during hurricanes or floods; submerging an EV in saltwater; vehicle type (hybrid vehicles are the most fire-prone per 100,000 sales, followed by gas vehicles, then electric vehicles). |
| Preventative measures | Avoid submerging electric vehicles in water; if exposed to saltwater, relocate the vehicle from the garage and do not park near combustible materials; check the maximum wading depth of your car. |
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What You'll Learn
- Saltwater exposure can cause lithium-ion batteries to combust
- Electric vehicles are designed with lithium-ion batteries
- Saltwater exposure accelerates corrosion of battery components
- Electric vehicles are not more likely to catch fire than other cars
- Road salt is a concern for electric vehicles in snowy regions
Saltwater exposure can cause lithium-ion batteries to combust
Saltwater exposure can indeed cause lithium-ion batteries to combust, as seen in the aftermath of hurricanes and flooding. In the wake of Hurricane Ian in 2022, there were at least 12 electric vehicle fires caused by lithium-ion batteries coming into contact with saltwater flooding. Saltwater exposure can also accelerate the corrosion of battery components, particularly metal parts within cells and protective casings. This corrosion can lead to short circuits, which increase the risk of combustion.
While lithium-ion batteries are sealed to protect against water ingress, they are not designed to be submerged in water. Prolonged exposure to high-moisture environments or submergence in water can cause irreversible damage to the battery, reducing performance or even rendering it inoperable. The safety valve of a lithium-ion battery can be damaged by saltwater after long-term immersion.
The vulnerability of lithium-ion batteries to saltwater is due to their high energy content and chemical composition. When saltwater comes into contact with these batteries, several chemical reactions occur, and the risk of combustion is heightened. Immersion time also plays a critical role in the fire hazards of lithium-ion batteries. Experiments have shown that the ignition time decreases with increased immersion time up to a certain threshold, after which the ignition time slowly increases with further immersion.
To mitigate the risks associated with saltwater exposure, it is recommended to relocate electric vehicles that have been exposed to saltwater due to flooding. Additionally, it is essential to check the maximum wading depth of your electric vehicle to ensure it is not submerged beyond its capacity. While road salts used in winter may be a concern for electric vehicle owners, it is worth noting that most electric vehicles have a solid metal sheet across the undercarriage, shielding the battery from the elements. Furthermore, electric vehicles typically have lengthy battery warranties that may provide coverage in the event of salt-related damage.
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Electric vehicles are designed with lithium-ion batteries
However, lithium-ion batteries are vulnerable to certain risks, especially under extreme conditions such as hurricanes. When saltwater comes into contact with these batteries, several chemical reactions occur, which can lead to fires. This was seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, where there was a dramatic increase in claims linked to saltwater-damaged lithium batteries in electric vehicles and other products.
To address safety concerns, recent advancements in lithium-ion battery chemistry have resulted in variants that sacrifice specific energy and power to provide fire resistance, rapid charging, and longer lifespans. These newer batteries have a much lower failure rate, with fewer than one in a million battery cells and less than 0.1% of battery packs failing. Additionally, advancements in battery recycling processes aim to minimize the environmental impact of lithium-ion batteries, which have seen a spike in demand due to their use in electric vehicles.
While lithium-ion batteries are currently the leading battery type for electric vehicles, other battery technologies are being developed to improve energy density and safety. For example, sodium-ion batteries are more affordable, slightly safer, and have similar power delivery characteristics to lithium-ion batteries. Solid-state batteries and lithium-sulfur batteries are also expected to offer high performance and potential safety improvements.
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Saltwater exposure accelerates corrosion of battery components
Saltwater exposure can have detrimental effects on electric vehicles (EVs) and their lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries, which are used in everything from smartphones to electric vehicles, can become highly unstable and vulnerable to certain risks when exposed to saltwater, especially during hurricanes or floods.
Saltwater contains electrolytes (sodium chloride) that act as conductors, facilitating unintended electrical currents between the battery's internal components. This can result in short circuits, leading to overheating, explosions, or thermal runaway. Thermal runaway is a chain reaction that occurs when the battery's internal temperature rapidly increases, causing ignition. These electrical fires are challenging to extinguish and often require special firefighting techniques.
In addition to the immediate risks, saltwater exposure also accelerates the corrosion of battery components, especially the metal parts within cells and protective casings. Over time, this corrosion can compromise the integrity of the battery, leading to further electrical failures. This corrosion process is similar to saltwater erosion, where salt carried by water in the air accelerates the oxidation of metals. As metals corrode, they lose conductivity, increasing their electrical resistance. As a result, the electrical system becomes less efficient and more dangerous, with an increased risk of overheating and fire hazards.
To mitigate the effects of saltwater exposure, it is crucial to relocate electric vehicles from areas prone to flooding or coastal regions. Routine inspections and cleaning of electrical systems can help prevent the spread of corrosion and reduce the risk of costly repairs. Additionally, implementing environmental control measures, such as dehumidifiers and air conditioning, can help maintain a dry environment around electrical systems, reducing the risk of corrosion.
While car manufacturers are aware of the effects of salt on vehicles, and EVs are designed with protective features, it is still essential for owners of electric vehicles to take proactive measures to prevent saltwater exposure and its potential consequences.
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Electric vehicles are not more likely to catch fire than other cars
Electric vehicles (EVs) are not more likely to catch fire than other cars. In fact, according to a report by Kelley Blue Book, they are less likely to catch fire than gas-powered cars. The report examined data from several countries, including Australia, Sweden, and Norway, and found that the probability of an EV fire was lower than that of a petrol or diesel car.
This is further supported by statistics from 2015, which showed that out of 174,000 vehicle fires reported, almost all of them involved gasoline vehicles. Additionally, Tesla claims that their vehicles are 11 times less likely to catch fire than the average US car. While it is important to note that Tesla may have a financial incentive to exaggerate, the data still suggests that EVs are not more prone to fires than other cars.
The perception that EVs are more likely to catch fire may be due to the media coverage of EV fires. When an EV catches fire, it often makes headlines and goes viral on social media. However, as pointed out by Paul Christensen, a professor of pure and applied electrochemistry at Newcastle University, this could be because electric bikes and scooters are included in the statistics for EV fires. Additionally, older cars are far more likely to catch fire, and the risk increases with the age of the vehicle.
While it is true that lithium-ion batteries, which are used in EVs, can pose a risk of fire when exposed to saltwater, this is not unique to EVs. All lithium-ion batteries, including those in smartphones and other electronic devices, can become unstable and lead to fires when exposed to saltwater. Therefore, it is crucial to take precautions and follow safety guidelines to minimize the risk of any lithium-ion battery fires, regardless of the device or vehicle.
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Road salt is a concern for electric vehicles in snowy regions
Road salt is a concern for electric vehicles (EVs) in snowy regions, as it can increase the risk of battery fires. While all non-distilled water conducts electricity, salt water is much more conductive, and this conductivity remains even after the water has evaporated. This poses a particular risk to lithium-ion batteries, which are used in EVs, as the salt water can cause a short circuit, leading to thermal runaway and ignition.
In the aftermath of hurricanes, there has been a dramatic increase in claims linked to salt water-damaged lithium-ion batteries, including in EVs. For example, following Hurricane Ian, it is estimated that 5,000 EVs were compromised by water, and 36 of them caught fire. There were also 21 electric vehicle-related fires after Hurricane Ian in 2022 and two EV battery fires due to the floodwaters that followed Hurricane Idalia in 2023.
The risk of salt water exposure is not limited to situations where the EV is submerged. Simply driving on salted roads in the winter can increase the risk of battery fires. However, it is important to note that EVs typically have lengthy battery warranties, and manufacturers have likely taken the potential impact of road salt into consideration. Additionally, some EVs have a solid sheet of metal across the undercarriage, shielding the battery from the elements.
To mitigate the risk of battery fires when driving on salted roads, it is recommended to regularly wash your EV, as salt can accelerate the corrosion of battery components. It is also crucial to be aware of the maximum wading depth of your vehicle and to avoid submerging it in water if possible. If your EV does come into contact with salt water, it should be relocated from any combustible areas, such as a garage, and inspected by a mechanic.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric vehicles typically have a solid sheet of metal across the undercarriage to shield the battery from the elements. However, salt increases the conductivity of water, which can cause lithium-ion batteries to short circuit and ignite. Therefore, road salt can increase the risk of electric vehicles catching fire, but it is not the salt itself that explodes.
If your electric vehicle has been exposed to saltwater, it is important to move it away from anything combustible and contact a mechanic as soon as possible.
According to research by AutoinsuranceEZ.com, hybrid vehicles are the most fire-prone per 100,000 sales, followed by gas vehicles, with electric vehicles in third place. However, it is important to note that electric vehicles are not more likely to catch fire in general, and the salt water issue is more pressing for those in flood-prone or coastal areas.
Electric vehicles with lithium-ion batteries can catch fire if the batteries short circuit and start to heat up. This can be caused by exposure to water, especially saltwater, as it is more conductive.
There were 21 electric vehicle-related fires after Hurricane Ian in 2022 and two EV battery fires due to the floodwaters that followed Hurricane Idalia in 2023. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, there was also a dramatic increase in claims linked to saltwater-damaged lithium batteries.
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