Headlines about electric vehicle battery fires often make dramatic news, creating the impression that EVs are ticking time bombs waiting to explode. But what’s the real story behind these incidents? How likely is an EV battery to catch fire compared to a conventional gasoline vehicle? This article examines the data and science behind EV battery fires to provide a clearer picture of the actual risks.

The Statistical Reality

Contrary to popular perception, electric vehicles are significantly less likely to catch fire than their gasoline counterparts. Multiple studies and data sources confirm this:

• Data from the National Transportation Safety Board shows approximately 25 fires for every 100,000 EVs sold, compared to approximately 1,530 fires per 100,000 gasoline-powered vehicles. In other words, conventional vehicles are about 61 times more likely to catch fire.
• A global study by EV FireSafe identified just 511 battery fires in electric and hybrid vehicles from 2010 to 2022, representing a fire risk of only 0.0012% compared to a 0.1% risk for combustion engine vehicles.
• The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency found that gasoline and diesel vehicles are 19 times more likely to catch fire than electric vehicles.

These statistics challenge the common misconception that electric vehicles pose a greater fire hazard than conventional vehicles.

Why EVs Catch Fire Less Often

Several factors contribute to the lower fire risk in electric vehicles:

1. Fewer Moving Parts: Internal combustion engines have numerous components that can create friction, generate heat, and potentially lead to fires. EVs have significantly fewer moving parts.
2. No Flammable Fuel: EVs don’t carry gallons of highly flammable liquid fuel that can leak, spill, or ignite.
3. Advanced Battery Protection: Modern EV batteries incorporate multiple safety features:
   • Compartmentalized designs that help contain thermal events
   • Sophisticated battery management systems (BMS) that monitor cell temperatures and prevent overheating
   • Cooling systems (liquid or air) that maintain safe operating temperatures
   • Protective metal casings that shield battery packs from impact damage
4. Software Safeguards: Battery management systems continuously monitor for anomalies and can shut down systems before reaching dangerous conditions.

Why EV Fires Make Headlines

If electric vehicles are less prone to fires, why do these incidents receive so much media attention? Several factors explain this phenomenon:

1. Novelty Factor: EV technology is still relatively new and unfamiliar to many people, making incidents seem more newsworthy.
2. Extinction Challenges: When EV batteries do catch fire, they can be more difficult to extinguish than conventional vehicle fires. Thermal runaway reactions in lithium-ion batteries can sustain combustion without oxygen and may reignite hours or days after the initial fire appears extinguished.
3. Water Requirements: Firefighting protocols for EV fires often recommend using significantly more water (potentially 3,000+ gallons) compared to conventional vehicle fires.
4. Confirmation Bias: People who are skeptical about electric vehicle technology may pay more attention to EV fire incidents, reinforcing their preexisting concerns.

Common Causes of EV Battery Fires

When electric vehicle batteries do catch fire, these are the typical causes:

1. Severe Crash Damage: Physical damage to the battery pack that breaches cells is the most common cause of EV fires.
2. Manufacturing Defects: Rare battery cell defects can occasionally lead to internal short circuits.
3. Charging Issues: Improper charging equipment or procedures, particularly with aftermarket components, can create hazardous conditions.
4. Thermal Runaway: Once initiated, a chemical chain reaction called thermal runaway can cause temperatures to rise uncontrollably within battery cells, leading to fire.

It’s important to note that spontaneous EV fires during normal operation or standard charging with manufacturer-approved equipment are extremely rare.

The Challenge for Firefighters

While EV fires are less common, they do present unique challenges for emergency responders:

1. Extended Cooling Periods: Battery packs can require extended cooling periods due to the risk of reignition.
2. Specialized Training Needs: Firefighters require specific training for EV fires, including awareness of high-voltage electrical risks.
3. Water Resources: More water is typically needed to suppress and cool battery fires compared to conventional vehicle fires.

Fire departments and manufacturers are actively working together to develop improved protocols and training for handling EV fires.

Conclusion

The data clearly demonstrates that electric vehicles are significantly less likely to catch fire than conventional gasoline vehicles. While EV fires do present unique challenges when they occur, the overall risk is substantially lower. As with any evolving technology, continued improvements in battery design, manufacturing processes, and emergency response protocols will likely reduce these risks even further.

For current and prospective EV owners, the evidence suggests that battery fires should be a minimal concern compared to the many safety advantages electric vehicles offer. As with any vehicle, proper maintenance, adherence to manufacturer guidelines, and prompt attention to recall notices remain important practices for maximizing safety.