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13 August 2024 Can an electric car catch fire, and are EVs safe?
I’m sure you’ve heard about electric cars exploding dramatically on public roads, but should you really be put off by this? This article discusses the potential fire risks and why these accidents happen, distinguishing the myths from the facts.
Are electric cars safe?
In general, electric vehicles (EVs) are designed to be just as safe to drive as conventional cars and are built to meet the same standards. In addition, modern EVs are usually equipped with high-tech safety features, including collision avoidance systems and blind spot monitoring.
They also feature battery management systems to prevent overcharging, overheating and other potential performance or safety risks. That being said, there have been some incidences of electric car fires over the years due to battery faults. However, electric vehicles have not proven to be riskier than standard vehicles. In fact, the elimination of the flammable fuel reduces the risk in many cases.
On the other hand, it’s important to mention that car owners should take particular care when charging their vehicle at home as they are dealing with high electrical loads. You should always make sure to use the right charging equipment. While you may be able to charge your car by plugging it into a standard domestic socket, it is generally recommended to only do so in emergencies. This is because EV charging requires a much higher wattage than everyday household appliances.
Using extension cables for EV charging is an absolute no-go. The safest way to charge your electric car at home is by plugging the EV charging cable into a special at-home charging station.
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Why do electric cars catch fire?
An EV fire can occur while the lithium battery is charging or as a result of damage to the battery cells. In a few cases, manufacturers have made recalls due to identified faults in the battery pack which made them susceptible to catching fire.
Impurities from manufacturing defects or damage can cause short-circuits, potentially leading to rapid chemical reactions that trigger a process known as “thermal runaway”. This is where the lithium battery cell starts to heat up uncontrollably and produce a flammable gas, eventually causing it to catch fire.
In the rare cases where electric cars do catch fire, it can be very intense. Firefighters typically have to use thousands of gallons of water to put it out once the vehicle is ablaze. It is therefore not advisable to attempt to put an electric car fire out yourself.
However, it may be a good idea to carry a car fire extinguisher and first aid kit in the back of the car or the boot as you may find yourself in an emergency situation where a fire is caused in an area other than the battery, such as outside the car or in the passenger compartment due to an accident or smoking incident.
To stay informed on car maintenance and learn how to best prevent a fire, check out the following article: What should you do to reduce the risk of your vehicle catching fire?
How many electric cars have caught fire?
According to UK electric car fire statistics, 239 fires were recorded from July 2022 to June 2023, indicating a year on year increase of just over 80%. It is important to note, however, that this is directly correlated to the increase in electric vehicles on UK roads over other factors. Meanwhile, in Norway, the country with the highest proportion of electric car sales, the number of fires in petrol and diesel cars is 4 to 5 times higher.
One reason behind people’s fear of electric vehicles is the widespread news coverage of accidents and explosions compared to that of other vehicles. This is largely due to the fact that EVs are still relatively new and niche to the majority of people. You’re much more likely to hear about Tesla fires than you are to hear about an old diesel car being engulfed in flames.
In many cases, EV fires are caused by improper care or user errors. However, there are often reports of plug-in electric vehicle fire incidents where a fault left the vehicles more vulnerable to battery fires. In these cases, the faults are usually identified quickly and recalls are issued promptly.
Again, it is very important to have the correct charging equipment for your electric vehicle. Check your car manual for the correct charging procedure and specified charger. There are a number of different types of charging cables with different power outputs and requirements. To find and compare deals online, simply enter keywords, i.e. Nissan Leaf charging cable, or vehicle specific data such as the VIN.
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