Can EVs Catch Fire?

The advent of electric vehicles (EVs) has brought a significant shift in the way we perceive transportation, sustainability, and efficiency. However, as the EV market continues to expand, questions surrounding their safety, particularly in cases of fire and accidents, have emerged. Are EVs as safe as traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles when it comes to fire risks and accidents? In this blog post, we will delve into this matter, examining the safety of EVs in light of recent studies, statistics, and technological advancements.

Understanding the Basics: EVs and Battery Safety

The safety of an EV largely hinges on the safety of its battery. The most common type of battery used in EVs is the lithium-ion battery, renowned for its high energy density and long lifespan. However, if damaged or improperly handled, lithium-ion batteries can cause a phenomenon called 'thermal runaway', which may lead to fires or explosions.

However, thermal runaway is not exclusive to EVs. It can occur in any device using lithium-ion batteries, including smartphones and laptops. It's also worth noting that the automotive industry, in collaboration with battery manufacturers, has taken significant strides in improving the safety features of these batteries to prevent thermal runaway.

EVs and Fire Risks: A Comparative Analysis

It's a fact that every vehicle, regardless of its propulsion method, carries some degree of fire risk. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), from 2014 to 2016, there were an estimated 171,500 highway vehicle fires per year in the United States. Most of these involved traditional ICE vehicles.

A 2017 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Department of Energy found that the propensity and severity of fires and explosions from lithium-ion battery systems were anticipated to be somewhat comparable to or perhaps slightly less than those for gasoline or diesel vehicular fuels. The report noted that while the relative risks are comparable, the types of incidents and their manifestations are distinctly different.

Moreover, a study by the Highway Loss Data Institute found that EVs from 2011-2019 had a lower rate of claim frequency for fire losses compared to their conventional counterparts.

Safety Measures in EVs

The potential of lithium-ion battery failures has led EV manufacturers to invest heavily in protective measures. These measures aim at mitigating the risk of thermal runaway and, in the case of an accident, protecting the battery from impact. For instance, in many EVs, the battery is placed in the vehicle's floor, the most secure part of the car, away from common impact zones. The batteries are also encased in protective structures that can withstand high impacts.

Moreover, advanced Battery Management Systems (BMS) are employed to monitor and manage the battery's state of health, temperature, and charge levels, thereby preventing conditions that could lead to thermal runaway. In case of an accident, these systems can disconnect the battery to prevent a possible short circuit.

EVs and Crash Safety

The design of electric vehicles offers some inherent safety advantages. For example, without a bulky engine under the hood, EVs can be designed with large crumple zones that absorb energy during a collision, reducing the impact on the vehicle's occupants.

Moreover, placing the heavy battery in the floor gives EVs a low center of gravity, reducing the risk of rollover—one of the deadliest types of accidents. These design features, coupled with advanced safety technologies like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and others, have helped several EV models earn top safety ratings. As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, numerous EVs have received the