How common are fires in electric vehicles?
Quick insights
- Available data shows that battery-powered vehicles catch fire less often than gas-powered cars.
- While electric vehicle fires are rare, they can burn hotter and require specialized firefighting techniques to extinguish.
- The majority of vehicle fires nationwide involve traditional internal combustion engines.
Let’s look at how often different types of vehicles catch fire.
How often do electric vehicles catch fire?
When looking at the national fleet, battery-powered vehicles catch fire rarely. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) tracks vehicle fires across the country, and their data shows that battery-powered cars account for only a tiny fraction of all highway vehicle fires. While these incidents do happen, they are statistically uncommon and often result from severe collisions or charging malfunctions rather than spontaneous combustion.
Some incidents could have been a result of specific battery defects or older technology. In recent years, manufacturers have attempted to address these issues through software updates and physical recalls. For the average driver, the daily risk of experiencing a battery fire remains small.
Comparing electric and gas vehicle fires
Comparing the fire risks between different types of powertrains reveals a stark contrast in safety profiles.
- Gasoline vehicle fires: Traditional cars carry highly flammable liquid fuel and operate using thousands of controlled explosions per minute. According to the NFPA, gas-powered vehicle fires occur on average every two to three minutes in the United States. This frequency makes them the most fire-prone passenger vehicles on the road.
- Hybrid vehicle fires: Cars that combine a gas engine with a battery pack utilize two different complex powertrains. Some studies suggest hybrids have more potential points of failure that could lead to combustion than traditional gasoline vehicles.
- Battery fire intensity: While battery-powered cars may catch fire less often, their fires can be intense and difficult to manage. Lithium-ion batteries burn extremely hot and can require more water to extinguish than a gasoline engine.
- Reignition risks: One unique challenge with battery fires is the potential for the energy cells to reignite hours or even days after the initial flames are put out. This requires first responders to use specialized training and equipment to manage the scene safely after a severe crash.
Understanding battery safety technology
Automakers work to improve the safety of their battery packs to reduce the risk of thermal runaway, which is the chain reaction that causes these specific fires. Modern vehicles are equipped with advanced battery management systems that constantly monitor the temperature and voltage of individual cells. If the system detects an anomaly, it can automatically shut down the power flow to prevent overheating. These proactive software measures act as a first line of defense against potential combustion.
Additionally, the physical structure of the battery pack is designed to protect the cells during a collision. Heavy-duty metal casings and strategic placement along the floorboard help shield the battery from direct impacts. As manufacturers continue to research new chemistries, such as solid-state batteries, the risk of combustion is expected to drop even further. These upcoming innovations may eventually eliminate the flammable liquid electrolytes currently used in modern power cells.
The bottom line
Current research indicates that battery-powered vehicles are less likely to catch fire than traditional gas-powered cars. While lithium-ion fires present unique challenges for firefighters due to their intensity and reignition risks, the overall frequency of these events remains low.
