JVTech News Electric cars: we finally know the real risk of battery explosion thanks to this serious and documented study. And certain conclusions debunk many urban legends.
The risks associated with electric cars generate many fantasies. Perhaps you have already heard the rumor that an electric car, due to its battery, runs the risk of exploding and causing fires. Let’s go back to the facts.
The real situation of the fire risks of electric car batteries
We have fully entered the era of electric vehicles (EV), and this advance is accompanied by increasingly recurring debates around security and reliability of these new technologies. A recent fire in a car park at Luton Airport (UK) has revived concerns about the risk of electric vehicle batteries exploding. However, a serious and documented study Sheds new light on this issue! By the way, the study even debunks some urban legends (it seems that some people think that electric cars need larger parking spaces…).
Confusion over the fire risks of electric vehicles has been exacerbated by isolated incidents and some unfounded but persistent rumors. Let’s start by addressing the recent case of the Luton car park fire: Bedfordshire firefighters quickly cleared up the matter. No, this incident was not caused by an electric vehicle as some rumors suggested but… by a diesel car.
There he may tell us, and rightly so, that just because this specific event was not caused by an electric car, it does not present any risk of spontaneous combustion. After all, almost everyone has stories about exploding smartphone or laptop batteries. So let’s take a step back to look at the available statistics on a broader scale. By 2023, millions of electric vehicles will be on the roads, providing an important database on their safety. Good news: the data accumulated internationally is beginning to give a clear picture on the issue of the danger of electric vehicles.
Colin Walker of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit points out that, contrary to popular belief, electric vehicles have a much slower burn rate than petrol cars. Reports from Norway and Sweden, two countries at the forefront of electric vehicle adoption, support this claim and even indicate that fires are significantly more common in combustion vehicles.
Myths versus realities and future perspectives
The fairly widespread perception among the general public that electric vehicles are more prone to fires than thermal cars is usuallyt fueled by sensational videos showing spectacular fires. No pun intended, these videos are spreading like wildfire on social media and are the ones that spread the most misinformation.
As we have seen, statistics, such as those provided by the Swedish Civil Emergency Agency and EV FireSafe in Australia, show that these events are relatively rare. Tesla even uses this type of data as a sales pitch: in fact, Elon Musk’s company proudly reports a much lower fire rate in its vehicles compared to the average American car. In short, if you think about it, all this is quite logical… what is more flammable than gasoline?
having said thatHowever, it is important to note that a battery can cause flames to start. Lithium-ion batteries, when damaged or defective, are susceptible to thermal runaway, sometimes causing intense and difficult to control fires. A study led by Paul Christensen of Newcastle University highlights specific concerns about batteries in electric scooters and bikes, which are often less regulated.
In a few yearsHowever, as the electric car fleet ages, we are likely to see more accidents of this type. Faced with these new risks, firefighters around the world are currently adapting their techniques and equipment. Some crews are even experimenting with completely submerging burning electric vehicles in containers of water to control the flames.
Fountain : The Guardian
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