As more EVs get on the roads, the potential vulnerability of battery engines to catch fire has been the subject of some media reports. For instance, the Boston Globe reports that it regularly receives emails from concerned individuals who view EV batteries as dangerous. Growing concerns regarding EV fire frequency, however, are not backed by data. The National Transportation Safety Board reports EVs were involved in 25 fires for every 100,000 units sold. In comparison, 1,530 gasoline and diesel-fired cars (called internal combustion or ICE) and 3,475 gas-electric hybrid cars were involved in fires for every 100,000 sold.
While EVs tend to catch fire less often than ICEs, EV fires are far more destructive and difficult to put out due to the composition of lithium-ion batteries. A short circuit or malfunction in a lithium-ion battery can cause a chain reaction known as “thermal runaway,” causing the battery temperature to spike drastically and catch on fire. EV fires tend to burn at higher temperatures than ICE fires (5,000°Fvs. 1,500°F) and require 10 times more water to put out. They also emit strong fumes from the toxic chemicals found in the batteries.
Firefighters are often ill-equipped to confront the dangers of EV fires in terms of both training and resources. Last year, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services developed a tracker to identify and gather information on EV fires and to determine important patterns and trends that can improve their understanding and approach to extinguishing them. In March of this year, Rhode Island House Democrats introduced a bill to allocate $60,000 from the State budget to train firefighters to quell lithium-ion battery fires. However, this bill has been shelved citing a need for further investigation.
In addition to new opportunities, EVs present new complications. As with other nascent technologies, developing the knowledge and resources to prevent and effectively extinguish EV fires will take time and effort.
