Trystan Casey
Electric vehicle (EV) fires are a highly discussed topic, with many misconceptions and concerns about their frequency and severity. While there have been some highly publicized incidents of EV fires, data suggests that these occurrences are relatively rare. According to various sources and studies, the risk of fire in electric vehicles is significantly lower than that of petrol and diesel vehicles, with some reports indicating it to be around 20 to 80 times less likely. This is despite the challenges posed by lithium battery fires, which can burn at extremely high temperatures and require specialized firefighting techniques. As the adoption of electric vehicles increases, addressing safety concerns and implementing effective emergency response procedures will be crucial to maintaining public confidence in this technology.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How common are electric vehicle fires? | Electric vehicle fires are rare, with a risk of fire that is between 20 and 80 times lower than that of petrol and diesel vehicles. |
| Fire rate per 100,000 vehicles | 25.1 fires per 100,000 sales for electric vehicles, compared to 1529.9 fires per 100,000 for gas vehicles and 3474.5 for hybrid vehicles. |
| Number of fires | From 2010 to June 2023, there were 393 verified electric vehicle fires globally, out of approximately 30 million electric vehicles on the road. In the UK, there were 239 EV fires from July 2022 to June 2023. |
| Increase in fires | The number of EV fires has increased as the number of EVs on the road has increased. There were two EV fires in Singapore in 2022, up from one in 2021. |
| Fire causes | Battery packs can catch fire due to overheating, manufacturing defects, battery faults, physical damage from collisions, workshop repairs, arson, external fires, or contamination of a single cell during manufacture. About 18% of fires occur when vehicles are charging, and 2% occur within an hour of disconnecting from the charger. |
| Fire risks | Fire and road safety incident rates are higher for e-scooters and e-bikes due to poor-quality battery design and construction and the use of unapproved chargers. |
| Fire management | Lithium battery fires burn at extremely high temperatures, can last for days, and often reignite. They can emit highly toxic gases and chemicals, and require a lot of water to extinguish. Firefighters need proper training and equipment to handle these fires. |
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What You'll Learn
- Electric vehicle fires are rare, but present new problems for firefighters
- Lithium-ion batteries can burn at high temperatures and cause extensive damage
- Electric vehicle fires are more common in e-scooters and e-bikes
- Electric vehicle fire risks are increasing as their adoption grows
- Electric vehicles are less likely to catch fire than petrol or diesel cars
Electric vehicle fires are rare, but present new problems for firefighters
Electric vehicle fires are rare but present new problems for firefighters. While electric vehicles (EVs) are not without their fire risks, they are significantly less likely to catch fire than petrol or diesel cars. Data from the past 13 years suggests that as electric vehicles replace those powered by internal combustion engines, fire risks decrease. A May 2023 report by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency found that vehicles with internal combustion engines were 20 times more likely to catch fire than electric vehicles in Sweden.
However, when electric vehicle fires do occur, they can be challenging to manage. Lithium-ion batteries burn at extremely high temperatures and can last for days, causing extensive damage. They can also reignite after appearing to have been extinguished. If not managed properly, they can emit highly toxic gases and chemicals for many hours. Firefighters must be properly trained to handle these blazes, and fire departments may need specialised equipment to deal with them.
The standard approach to fighting electric vehicle fires involves using immense quantities of water to cool the battery pack, although this does not prevent the fire from erupting again. Fire blankets can also be used to suppress the flames, and firefighters need breathing equipment to protect them from the toxic vapour cloud. In some cases, a crane may be used to lift the vehicle and submerge it in a large water container.
The rarity of electric vehicle fires can be attributed in part to the advanced cooling systems in electric cars and trucks, which keep their batteries at optimal temperatures during everyday driving and recharging. However, fire and road safety incident rates are higher for e-scooters and e-bikes, which have less sophisticated designs and cooling systems. As the use of electric vehicles grows, it is important that fire services continue to develop strategies to effectively address the unique challenges posed by electric vehicle fires.
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Lithium-ion batteries can burn at high temperatures and cause extensive damage
Electric vehicle fires are uncommon, and data suggests that the risk of fire in electric vehicles is lower than in petrol and diesel vehicles. However, lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used in electric vehicles, can burn at high temperatures and cause extensive damage.
Lithium-ion batteries are known to catch fire quickly and burn at extremely high temperatures. They can be challenging to extinguish and may spontaneously ignite or explode. Once a lithium-ion battery catches fire, it can be challenging to manage the blaze. The batteries often reignite, even after the visible flames have been extinguished, if the internal temperature remains high. This means that firefighters must continuously monitor the batteries for hours to prevent rekindling.
The high combustion temperatures and long-lasting nature of lithium-ion battery fires can result in extensive damage. The batteries may continue to burn for days, causing severe destruction. In addition, if not properly managed, these fires can emit highly toxic gases and chemicals for extended periods.
The large lithium-ion battery packs used in electric vehicles require a specialized firefighting response. Firefighters are trained to cool and isolate damaged cells to contain the fire. Methods to control the blaze include cooling the battery with water or using a crane to lift the vehicle and submerge it in a large water container.
While electric vehicle fires are less common than those in petrol and diesel vehicles, the potential for lithium-ion battery fires and their associated challenges underscores the importance of proper safety measures and response protocols.
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Electric vehicle fires are more common in e-scooters and e-bikes
Electric vehicle fires are rare, with a 2023 report by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency finding that vehicles with internal combustion engines were 20 times more likely to catch fire than electric vehicles in Sweden. However, within the category of electric vehicles, fire and road safety incident rates are notably higher for e-scooters and e-bikes. This is due to several factors, including the use of unapproved chargers, poor-quality battery design and construction, and modifications to e-bikes and e-scooters.
In the first half of 2023, EV Firesafe data revealed that e-scooters and e-bikes accounted for over 500 battery fires, 138 injuries, and 36 deaths worldwide. In comparison, electric vehicle battery fires resulted in eight injuries and four deaths over the same period. The higher risk associated with e-scooters and e-bikes is concerning, given the increasing popularity of these "micromobility devices."
Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in e-scooters and e-bikes, pose a significant fire risk when they overheat, are crushed, penetrated, or overcharged. These batteries can suddenly burst into flame, causing extensive damage. For instance, a fire in the Bronx was attributed to a lithium-ion battery in an e-scooter, resulting in the destruction of an entire building.
To address the fire risk associated with e-scooters and e-bikes, several safety precautions are recommended. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) advises against charging these devices unattended or while sleeping and encourages charging them outdoors or in a shed. They also emphasize the importance of using approved chargers and avoiding modifications or counterfeit products. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) echoes the importance of using accessories specifically designed for the device's make and model to mitigate fire risks.
While electric vehicle fires are generally uncommon, the higher incidence in e-scooters and e-bikes underscores the need for strict regulation and safety standards in the industry. The lack of current regulation has led to a diverse range of companies and products on the market, making it essential for consumers to prioritize buying safe and approved devices.
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Electric vehicle fire risks are increasing as their adoption grows
Electric vehicle fire risks are not an imminent danger for EV owners, but they do present new challenges. As the number of electric vehicles on the road increases, so too do the number of EV fires. However, it is important to note that the risk of fire in electric vehicles is still much lower than in petrol or diesel vehicles.
In the first half of 2023, there were over 500 battery fires, 138 injuries, and 36 deaths worldwide from e-scooters and e-bikes, which use similar battery technology to electric cars and trucks but with less sophisticated designs. In comparison, there were only 35 electric vehicle battery fires resulting in eight injuries and four deaths during the same period. This highlights the higher risk associated with e-scooters and e-bikes due to poor-quality battery design and construction, as well as the use of unapproved chargers.
While EV fires are less common, they can be more challenging to manage. Lithium battery fires burn at extremely high temperatures, can last for days, and often reignite. They can cause extensive damage and emit highly toxic gases and chemicals for many hours if not properly contained. Firefighters need specialized training and equipment to handle these types of fires effectively.
The increase in EV adoption has led to a rise in EV fire cases, with some countries experiencing an 83% year-on-year increase. However, this increase is proportional to the growing number of EVs on the road. For example, in the UK, there were 239 EV fires recorded from July 2022 to June 2023, compared to 1,898 fires from petrol and diesel vehicles in 2019. Despite this, the overall risk of fire in EVs remains significantly lower than in petrol or diesel vehicles.
To address the challenges posed by EV fires, fire services are developing new strategies and acquiring specialized equipment. This includes the use of vehicle fire blankets, large quantities of water for cooling, and breathing equipment to protect firefighters from toxic vapors. Additionally, experts recommend that the public retreat to a safe distance and call for professional assistance in the event of an EV fire, rather than attempting to fight the fire themselves.
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Electric vehicles are less likely to catch fire than petrol or diesel cars
Electric vehicles (EVs) are significantly less likely to catch fire than petrol or diesel cars. This is a crucial piece of information amidst the growing concerns and debates over the safety of EVs.
According to a study by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, electric vehicles are 20 times less likely to catch fire than petrol and diesel cars. The study, corroborated by data from a US insurer using National Transportation Safety Board figures, indicates that battery-powered EVs suffer only 25 fires per 100,000 sold. In contrast, petrol or diesel vehicles experience a staggering 1,530 fires per 100,000, with hybrid vehicles at an even higher risk of 3,475 fires per 100,000. This data highlights a notable difference in fire risk between electric and non-electric vehicles.
The findings from the Swedish study are further supported by additional research. For instance, in Norway, which boasts the world's highest proportion of electric car sales, the Directorate for Social Security and Emergency Preparedness reports that there are between four and five times more fires in petrol and diesel cars. Similarly, Australia's Department of Defence found that the likelihood of a passenger electric vehicle battery catching fire was approximately 0.0012%, compared to a significantly higher 0.1% chance for internal combustion engine cars.
While the number of electric vehicles on the road is still relatively small compared to traditional petrol and diesel cars, the data suggests that EVs are safer in terms of fire risk. This is an important consideration as more people make the transition to electric vehicles, which are seen as a crucial part of the shift away from fossil fuels. However, it is worth noting that the public perception of EVs may not align with these findings, as some people fear that the fire risk will increase with the growing adoption of electric vehicles.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric vehicle fires are very rare. The risk for petrol and diesel vehicles is at least 20 times higher. However, as the number of electric vehicles on the road increases, the number of fires is also increasing.
Electric vehicle fires can be caused by various factors, including physical damage from a collision, manufacturing defects, battery faults, workshop repairs, arson, external fires, or overheating.
Fire services are developing new strategies to deal with electric vehicle fires. Methods to control an electric vehicle fire include cooling the battery with water, using a fire blanket to suppress the flames, and providing breathing equipment for firefighters to protect them from toxic vapors.
Electric vehicles are generally considered to be safer than petrol or diesel vehicles in terms of fire risk. However, it is important to note that electric vehicle fires can be more challenging to manage due to the high temperatures and toxic gases produced.
