How Common are Electric Vehicle Battery Fires?

How Common are Electric Vehicle Battery Fires?

Electric cars have become increasingly popular over the years, as more people seek to reduce their carbon footprint and take advantage of the benefits of electric vehicles (EVs). However, concerns about EV fires have lingered, with many people believing that battery-powered cars are more prone to catching fire than their petrol-powered counterparts. In this article, we'll explore how common EV fires actually are and whether or not you should be worried about the possibility of a battery fire. While fire is always a risk, we'll delve into the data and help you understand the real risks associated with owning an electric car.

When it comes to evaluating the frequency of EV battery fires, it's important to compare apples to apples. While electric vehicles accounted for less than two percent of vehicle sales in the United States in 2020, they naturally have fewer fires than petrol vehicles. To get a better idea of the fire risk associated with EVs, we need to compare the number of fires per 100,000 vehicles sold. According to researchers at Auto Insurance EZ, there were: 

• 25.1 fires per 100k sales for electric vehicles
• Petrol vehicles had 1529.9 fires per 100k sales
• Hybrid vehicles had the most fires per 100k sales at 3474.5

Despite these numbers, it's easy to think that electric car fires are more common than they actually are. This is partly due to the fact that EVs are still relatively novel, and thus, unknown to many people. Moreover, when EVs do catch fire, it can require a significant amount of effort from emergency personnel to put out the blaze. Lithium-ion batteries burn hotter and can last much longer than petrol, which makes extinguishing a fire much more difficult. In some cases, a chain reaction called thermal runaway can occur, which can further complicate the situation. While fires involving EVs do occur, the data suggests that the risk is not higher than that of petrol vehicles.

Types of Electric Car Battery Fires

While fires involving EVs are relatively rare, they do happen. In general, there are two types of battery fires that tend to occur in electric cars. The first type occurs after a collision or other damage to the vehicle that compromises the battery pack. Automakers have been working to reinforce battery protection in recent years, which has helped to reduce the risk of fire in these situations.

The second type of battery fire occurs during charging. In some cases, a manufacturing defect in the battery cells can increase the risk of fire when the battery is being charged. This was the case with recent safety recalls that affected some EVs, which cost billions of dollars to address. Despite these issues, it's worth noting that the vast majority of electric vehicles do not experience any problems with their battery packs.

It's important to keep in mind that while battery fires do happen, they are relatively rare, and the safety risks associated with electric cars are no higher than those associated with petrol vehicles. As automakers continue to improve their battery technology and safety features, we can expect the risk of fire to continue to decrease.

Pros of Owning an Electric Vehicle

Despite concerns about the risk of fire, there are many benefits to owning an electric car. Here are a few reasons why you might want to consider purchasing an EV:

1. Reduced maintenance: One of the biggest advantages of owning an electric vehicle is that they require less maintenance than petrol vehicles. With no oil changes or mechanical components to break under the hood, electric cars are generally less expensive to maintain. Additionally, the life of other components such as brakes can be extended due to the regenerative braking system.
2. More performance: Many electric vehicles offer significant performance benefits over petrol vehicles. The immediate torque and acceleration can make electric cars exhilarating to drive, and make them quicker than most people expect, depending on driving habits.
3. Tax incentives: Depending on the electric car you opt for, there may be tax credits available:

   
   

   • New South Wales offers a $3000 rebate for the first 25,000 battery-electric and fuel-cell electric vehicles sold under $68,750, and exempts new and used EV purchases under $78,000 from stamp duty.
   • Australian Capital Territory offers two years free registration for new zero-emission vehicles, and exempts new EVs from stamp duty while plug-in hybrids receive a 20% discount.
   • Victoria offers a $3000 rebate for new EVs bought for less than $68,740, and exempts EVs from luxury vehicle rates of stamp duty, charging a flat rate instead. EVs and other zero or low emission vehicles receive a $100 annual discount on vehicle registration.
   • Queensland offers a $3000 rebate for new EVs that cost up to $58,000, and electric and hybrid vehicles receive a discount on stamp duty.
   • South Australia offers a $3000 rebate for the first 7000 sales of new EVs or fuel cell EVs valued under $68,750.
   • Western Australia offers a $3500 rebate for the first 10,000 buyers of new EVs and fuel-cell EVs under $70,000 starting from May 2022.
   • Tasmania offers a two-year stamp duty waiver for all new and used EV purchases starting from July 2021, regardless of price.
   • Northern Territory offers a $1500 discount in stamp duty for five years from July 2022 for buyers of new or used EVs, fuel-cell and plug-in hybrids, and free registration for new and existing EVs.
   *Source NRMA
   
   
4. Reduced greenhouse petrol emissions: One of the biggest advantages of owning an electric vehicle is that they produce zero emissions, which helps to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution. Driving an electric car can help to improve air quality and reduce your carbon footprint.
5. Lower fuel costs: Electric vehicles are generally cheaper to operate than petrol vehicles, as electricity is less expensive than petrol. While the upfront cost of an EV can be higher than that of a gas car, the savings in fuel costs over the life of the vehicle can more than offset the higher purchase price.

Cons of Electric Cars

While there are many benefits to owning an electric car, there are also some downsides to consider before making a purchase. Here are a few of the most significant drawbacks:

1. Access to charging: Depending on your location, you may not have easy access to charging stations, particularly if you live in an apartment building or rental property. This can make it difficult to keep your car charged and ready to go.
2. Charging time: While the range of electric vehicles has been improving, most EVs still take longer to charge than it takes to fill up a petrol tank. This can be inconvenient for people who need to make long trips, as it may require frequent stops to recharge the battery.
3. Purchase cost: Electric cars are generally more expensive than comparable petrol or diesel vehicles, which can make them less accessible to people on a budget. While tax incentives can help to offset some of the cost, the upfront expense of an EV is still higher than that of a petrol car.
4. Range anxiety: While the range of electric vehicles has been increasing steadily, many people still worry about running out of power while on the road. This can cause anxiety and make people reluctant to take long trips in an EV.
5. Limited selection: While the number of electric vehicles on the market has been increasing, there are still fewer options to choose from than there are petrol cars. This can make it difficult to find a vehicle that meets your specific needs and preferences. The only brands in Australia with EV's, as of March 2023, are Cupra, MG, Tesla, Polestar, Volvo, GMV, BYD, BMW, KIA, Hyundai, Genesis, Porsche, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Jaguar, & Audi

Electric cars are becoming an increasingly popular choice for people who want to reduce their carbon footprint and take advantage of the many benefits that EVs offer. While concerns about the risk of fire have been a point of concern, the data indicates that the risk of a battery fire is relatively low and no higher than that of petrol vehicles.

When considering whether to purchase an electric car, it's important to weigh the pros and cons carefully. On the positive side, electric cars offer reduced maintenance, better performance, tax incentives, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and lower fuel costs. However, there are also some downsides to consider, such as limited access to charging stations, long charging times, higher purchase costs, range anxiety, and limited selection.

Despite these downsides, the future of electric vehicles looks bright, and we can expect to see more and more people making the switch to cleaner, more sustainable transportation in the years ahead. With continued improvements in battery technology and safety features, the risks associated with owning an electric car will continue to decrease, making it an even more attractive option for environmentally conscious consumers. As we move towards a cleaner, more sustainable future, electric vehicles will play a key role in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and helping to protect our planet for future generations.

FAQ

1. What is the concern about electric vehicles?

Many people believe that battery-powered cars are more prone to catching fire than their petrol-powered counterparts, causing concerns about EV fires.

2. How common are electric vehicle battery fires?

According to researchers at Auto Insurance EZ, there were 25.1 fires per 100k sales for electric vehicles in comparison to 1529.9 fires per 100k sales for petrol vehicles. While fires involving EVs do occur, the data suggests that the risk is not higher than that of petrol vehicles.

3. What are the types of battery fires that tend to occur in electric cars?

In general, there are two types of battery fires that tend to occur in electric cars. The first type occurs after a collision or other damage to the vehicle that compromises the battery pack, while the second type of battery fire occurs during charging due to a manufacturing defect in the battery cells.

4. How are automakers addressing the risk of fire in electric cars?

Automakers have been working to reinforce battery protection in recent years, which has helped to reduce the risk of fire in electric cars.

5. Are the safety risks associated with electric cars higher than those associated with petrol vehicles?

It's important to keep in mind that while battery fires do happen, they are relatively rare, and the safety risks associated with electric cars are no higher than those associated with petrol vehicles. As automakers continue to improve their battery technology and safety features, we can expect the risk of fire to continue to decrease.