Summary
- There’s a widespread misconception that electric cars are more likely to catch fire than gasoline-powered cars
- Despite this perception, actual data shows that EVs have a significantly lower fire rate compared to traditional vehicles
- Media sensationalism, misunderstanding of battery technology, and the unique challenges of extinguishing EV fires contribute to the narrative
- While EV fires are more challenging to extinguish, they are far less frequent
- The evidence clearly indicates that EVs outperform gas vehicles in fire safety
The entire automotive industry has been transformed by electric vehicles (EVs), which promise a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional gasoline-powered cars. Nevertheless, along with the rise of EVs has come an argument that they catch fire more than their gasoline counterparts. Stories of battery explosions and spontaneous car fires have contributed to this perception leading many to wonder if EVs are safe enough for use. But how much of this is rooted in fact and how much is fueled by fear?
Numbers show another story despite what headlines may say. In reality, electric vehicles are far less likely to catch fire than gasoline-powered cars. However, this belief persists even though studies indicate that there is a lower frequency of fires in EVs compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
This article will go into these myths, delving into the psychology behind the fear, real data on vehicle fires, and why this narrative continues to thrive. By understanding the facts, we can dispel the myths and appreciate the safety of electric vehicles ensuring that unfounded fears do not overshadow innovation.
The EV Fire Myth
The perception that electric vehicles (EVs) are more prone to fire than petrol cars is a matter of concern for prospective EV owners considering to make the switch to an all-electric car. This notion has been fanned by high-profile EV fire incidents, which the media amplifies by focusing on their sensational nature. While fires in conventional gasoline-powered cars are common and tend not to make headlines, EV fires still appear to be rare cases, hence becoming overemphasized.
Still, although evidence contradicts the perception that EVs are fire hazards, it’s driven by biased news coverage. Another reason why people think EVs are more dangerous is their misunderstanding of how they work. The fear of spontaneous combustion among large lithium-ion batteries filled with electrical energy can appear scarier than the idea that gasoline burns, despite its natural volatility. One possible culprit that has influenced this narrative to persist is that it’s a fact that EV fires are tougher to tame, mainly because of the chemistry of EV batteries.
However, statistics show that EVs have fewer chances of catching fire as compared to cars powered by internal combustion engines (ICE). Some researches indicate that there are significantly fewer fires in EVs compared to traditional vehicles. Despite these facts, the perception persists due to combination of media hype, technophobia and cognitive biases.
Given the landscape of misinformation about fire hazards in electric cars, manufacturers have done their part to contradict this narrative. One such example is Tesla, which will lead global electric car sales by 2023. According to the company, from 2012 to 2022, Tesla vehicles experienced roughly one fire event for every 130 million miles driven. In contrast, statistics from the NFPA and the U.S. Department of Transportation reveal that, on average, a vehicle fire occurs in the United States for every 18 million miles traveled.
Numbers Shatter the Narrative
While the potential severity of an EV fire is greater due to the difficulty in putting out electric car fires, current data suggests that the overall likelihood of an EV catching fire is significantly lower than that of gasoline or diesel vehicles. Using data on car fire incidents from the National Transportation Safety Board and sales data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, a study by AutoinsuranceEZ showed that hybrid cars have the highest rate of fires per 100k units sold at 3,474.5 followed by gasoline cars at 1,529.9 and EVs third with only 2.1 fires.
This same study also looked at recalls for gas vs electric vehicles due to fire risks. In 2020 alone, there were 1,085,800 gasoline vehicles recalled for fire hazards whereas only 152,000 as for EV’s. Another study funded by Australia’s Department of Defence called EV FireSafe found that electric vehicles are much less likely to catch fire compared to gasoline-powered ones. According to the research, there is a 0.0012% chance of a passenger electric vehicle battery catching fire as compared to a 0.1% likelihood for internal combustion engine cars.
Norway, the world leader in EV adoption, has seen a much lower rate of fire accidents involving electric cars than gasoline and diesel models. According to that country’s directorate for social security and emergency preparedness, gasoline—or diesel-powered vehicles have four to five times higher chances of catching fire. The same situation is demonstrated in Sweden, where data from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency indicates that there were 3.8 fires per 100,000 electric or hybrid vehicle cases versus 68 among every 100,000 cars, irrespective of fuel type, in 2022.
The Electric Inferno
Although the data presented here proves that EVs are wrongly portrayed as fire-prone, one aspect that is a fact is that electric car fires are more difficult to extinguish. Firefighters face unique challenges when it comes to EV fires. Unlike gasoline-powered vehicles, electric car fires burn hotter, longer, and can reignite after initial suppression.
According to the Wall Street Journal, some firefighters are even finding that maybe the best approach is to just “stand back and watch it burn” under controlled conditions rather than attempting immediate extinguishment. Electric vehicles rely on high-energy batteries to power their substantial weight over long distances. This concentrated energy storage poses a significant risk when a battery is compromised.
Design flaws or internal battery degradation can lead to thermal runaway, a chain reaction that makes extinguishing a notoriously tricky fire. Burning lithium-ion batteries releases toxic fumes, compounding the hazards for firefighters.
Conclusion
Electric vehicle fires have been a very controversial subject but the reality is, the overall data overwhelmingly supports the conclusion that EVs are much less likely to catch fire than gasoline-powered vehicles. Although there may be some challenges in dealing with electric vehicle fires due to their potential gravity, instances of such fires are few and far between.
Such misconceptions about electric cars being dangerous have survived thanks to certain preoccupations, including media exaggeration of battery technology and dramatic fire scenes. Instead, we should rely on numbers rather than our own emotions. We must debunk some myths surrounding electric cars and spread accurate information as we move into a greener future.
