Trystan Casey
Electric vehicles (EVs) have been making headlines for catching fire, but it's important to understand the context and statistics behind these incidents. While EV fires do occur, studies have consistently shown that they have a much lower incidence of catching fire than gas-powered vehicles. This misconception may be due to the challenges of extinguishing lithium-ion battery fires, which require different techniques and equipment compared to traditional car fires. Despite the lower likelihood of EV fires, there are ongoing efforts to improve safety, including training for firefighters and advancements in battery technology to reduce fire risks.
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What You'll Learn
- Electric vehicles are less likely to catch fire than gas-powered cars
- Lithium-ion batteries in EVs burn without oxygen and are harder to extinguish
- Fire departments are training and acquiring gear to deal with EV fires
- EVs with damaged battery compartments can overheat and catch fire
- New EV battery types will reduce fire risk
Electric vehicles are less likely to catch fire than gas-powered cars
Electric vehicles (EVs) are less likely to catch fire than gas-powered cars. This is a fact supported by data from several countries, including Norway, Sweden, and Australia. The probability of an EV catching fire is much lower than that of a petrol or diesel car. For instance, in Sweden, EVs account for only 0.4% of all passenger vehicle fires, while gas- and diesel-powered cars make up 98.1%.
Despite this, there is a common misconception that EVs are more prone to fires. This may be due to the media's tendency to report on rare and new events, as well as the challenges EVs pose to first responders in terms of fire suppression. When an EV catches fire, it often makes headlines and goes viral, reinforcing the misconception. However, data shows that EVs account for a tiny fraction of all car fires. In the United States, for example, EVs caught fire at a rate of 25 per 100,000 sold, compared to 1,529 per 100,000 for gas-powered cars.
The lower risk of fire in EVs can be attributed to the absence of an engine and mechanical systems, which reduces the potential sources of fire. In contrast, the leading cause of vehicle fires in gas-powered cars is mechanical failure or malfunction, accounting for 45% of all such fires. Additionally, EVs do not have gasoline, hot exhaust, or controlled explosions, further minimizing the chances of a fire starting.
While it is true that lithium-ion batteries in EVs can experience thermal runaway, resulting in challenging and self-sustaining fires, this does not make EVs more likely to catch fire. In fact, the new types of EV batteries expected in the coming years, such as sodium-ion and solid-state batteries, will further reduce the risk of fire. Organizations are also actively training fire departments on best practices for extinguishing EV fires and researching improved fire-suppressing techniques and chemicals.
In summary, while EV fires pose unique challenges and can have tragic consequences, they are less likely to occur than fires in gas-powered vehicles. As EV technology continues to advance and safety protocols evolve, the risk of fire in EVs is expected to decrease even further.
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Lithium-ion batteries in EVs burn without oxygen and are harder to extinguish
Electric vehicles (EVs) are not more prone to catching fire than gas-powered cars. In fact, study after study has found that EVs have a much lower incidence of catching fire than gas vehicles. For instance, a study of car fires in Norway, where EVs are far more prevalent, found that gas-powered cars caught fire four to six times more often than EVs over the last three years. In the United States, EVs caught fire at a rate of 25 per 100,000 sold compared with 1,529 per 100,000 gas cars sold, according to a 2022 study. However, when EV fires do occur, they pose some different challenges for first responders.
Lithium-ion batteries come with their own oxidizers that continuously release oxygen at certain temperatures. This means that battery fires are extremely difficult to put out. They can take up to 24 hours to extinguish and can take far more water to extinguish compared to a typical car fire. Automakers who have supplied guidelines to the NFPA generally suggest 3,000 gallons of water or more to put out an EV fire.
The challenges of extinguishing lithium-ion battery fires have prompted numerous organizations, including various levels of government and nonprofits, to train fire departments on best practices for tackling them. While foam can stop fires from a gas-powered vehicle, it is not as effective against a fire caused by a lithium-ion battery, which creates hydrogen gas when doused with water. This makes the flame even stronger and more difficult to put out. Water also conducts electricity, which means spraying it on a battery fire could lead to electrical shocks or short circuits if the battery is not electrically isolated.
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Fire departments are training and acquiring gear to deal with EV fires
As electric vehicle (EV) sales continue to rise, fire departments and fire associations across the United States are gearing up to address the challenges posed by EV fires. While EVs are not more prone to catching fire than their gas or diesel counterparts, fires involving these vehicles can be harder to extinguish and pose unique risks.
EV batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, can experience thermal runaway, a chemical process that is challenging to put out because it doesn't require oxygen. This type of fire can also reignite even after it appears to have been extinguished. Manufacturers recommend using 3,000 gallons of water or more to effectively tackle an EV fire. However, due to the sheer volume of water required, some fire departments have opted to let EV fires burn out if they pose minimal risk of spreading.
Recognizing the need for specialized training and equipment to handle EV fires, organizations, government bodies, and nonprofits are collaborating to train fire departments on best practices. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers online training sessions for first responders and the general public, including vehicle dealership staff. The NFPA's senior fire protection engineer, Brian O'Connor, emphasizes the importance of education and resources for firefighters to effectively manage EV fire risks.
In addition to training, fire departments are also acquiring special gear to tackle EV fires. This includes investing in new techniques and improved fire-suppressing chemicals. Fire departments are also familiar with procedures to avoid electrical shocks, thanks to the presence of hybrid vehicles on the roads for over two decades. Manufacturers play a crucial role in this effort by clearly denoting high-voltage components and wiring with orange coloring and prominent labeling.
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EVs with damaged battery compartments can overheat and catch fire
Electric vehicles (EVs) are not more prone to catching fire compared to gas-powered cars. In fact, studies have found that EVs have a much lower incidence of catching fire than gas vehicles. For instance, a study of car fires in Norway, where EVs are more common, revealed that gas-powered cars caught fire four to six times more often than EVs over the last three years. Similarly, in the United States, EVs caught fire at a rate of 25 per 100,000 sold, while gas cars had a rate of 1,529 per 100,000 sold, according to a 2022 study.
However, it is important to note that EVs with damaged battery compartments can overheat and catch fire. The battery packs in EVs contain sensitive chemicals and elements, particularly lithium-ion batteries, which are used in most modern EVs. In the event of a severe crash, if the battery pack is compromised and the battery cells rupture, they can heat up rapidly and uncontrollably, leading to a phenomenon known as "thermal runaway". This occurs when the battery cells experience extreme heat, causing chemical reactions and resulting in a fire that can spread throughout the pack.
The risk of fire in damaged EV battery compartments is further exacerbated by the challenge of extinguishing lithium-ion battery fires. Unlike gasoline fires, lithium-ion batteries can burn without oxygen and do not require an external source of oxygen to stay lit. This is because they contain their own oxidizers that continuously release oxygen at certain temperatures. As a result, it can be extremely difficult to put out EV battery fires, and they may require significantly more water than a typical car fire.
To address this issue, fire departments are receiving specialized training and equipment to handle EV battery fires effectively. Additionally, new types of EV batteries, such as sodium-ion and solid-state batteries, are expected to reduce the risk of fires in the coming years. While EVs with damaged battery compartments pose a risk of overheating and catching fire, it is important to remember that driving any type of car carries inherent dangers, and the overall incidence of fires in EVs is lower compared to gas-powered vehicles.
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New EV battery types will reduce fire risk
Electric vehicles (EVs) have been the subject of scrutiny in recent years, with some suggesting that they are more prone to catching fire than their gas-powered counterparts. However, this is a misconception, as studies have shown that EVs have a much lower incidence of catching fire. In fact, research indicates that gas-powered cars caught fire four to six times more often than EVs. Despite this, the unique challenges posed by EV fires, particularly those involving lithium-ion batteries, have sparked concerns and prompted discussions about safety.
Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in EVs, can experience thermal runaway when extremely overheated, leading to a chemical process that is challenging to extinguish and has a higher likelihood of reigniting. This poses significant risks and complexities for first responders, requiring larger volumes of water and specialised gear to effectively combat these fires. The self-sustaining nature of lithium-ion battery fires, due to the generation of their own oxygen source, further exacerbates the difficulty in extinguishing them.
To address these concerns, advancements in EV battery technology are being made to reduce the risk of fires. Next-generation solid-state batteries, for example, aim to replace flammable liquid electrolytes with non-flammable solid electrolytes, mitigating the threat of runaway conflagrations. Sodium-ion batteries, which use sodium instead of lithium, offer another promising solution by eliminating the risk of thermal runaway. These innovations are expected to further enhance the safety of EVs and alleviate concerns about fire-related hazards.
While the current data indicates that EVs do not pose a higher fire risk than conventional vehicles, ongoing research and development in battery technology are crucial to ensuring that EV safety continues to improve. Organisations such as the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) are actively studying EV fire behaviour to develop more effective firefighting approaches and enhance safety standards. Additionally, initiatives like the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Battery Safety Initiative are coordinating research, collecting data, and proposing regulations to address safety risks associated with EV batteries. These collective efforts will contribute to a safer and more sustainable future for electric vehicles.
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Frequently asked questions
No, electric vehicles are less likely to catch fire than traditional gas-powered vehicles. Study after study has found that EVs have a much lower incidence of catching fire than gas vehicles. EVs do not have a tank of explosive fuel, and electric motors do not generate as much heat as gasoline or diesel engines.
Electric vehicles use lithium-ion batteries, which are very sensitive. In the event of a serious crash, the battery pack can be compromised, causing the battery cells to rupture and heat up. This can lead to a "thermal runaway", where the heat increases uncontrollably and the cells catch fire.
While the exact number is unknown, it is estimated that electric car fires in the United States occur at a rate of 25 per 100,000 sold. Sweden's Authority for Social Protection and Preparedness (MSB) reported an average of about 20 electric car fires per year out of about 611,000 electric vehicles.
