Most Important Statistics:
- It is rare for electric cars to catch fire.
- In 2019, there were only 27 reported cases of electric vehicle fires in the United States.
- This represents just 0.1% of all vehicle fires in the country that year.
- In comparison, gasoline-powered vehicles accounted for 87% of all vehicle fires in the United States in 2019.
- In Europe, the number of electric car fires is similarly low.
- In 2019, there were only 39 reported cases of electric vehicle fires in the European Union.
- This represents just 0.02% of all vehicle fires in the EU that year.
- In comparison, gasoline-powered vehicles accounted for 84% of all vehicle fires in the EU in 2019.
Causes of Electric Car Fires
- The majority of electric car fires are caused by collisions or accidents.
- In 2019, collision-related fires accounted for 70% of electric vehicle fires in the United States.
- In the same year, accident-related fires accounted for 25% of electric vehicle fires in the EU.
- Electrical malfunctions and charging issues are much less common causes of electric car fires.
- In 2019, electrical malfunctions accounted for just 5% of electric vehicle fires in the United States.
- In the same year, charging issues accounted for only 2% of electric vehicle fires in the EU.
Prevention and Safety Measures
- Electric car manufacturers have implemented various safety measures to prevent fires.
- These measures include adding fire-resistant materials to the vehicle’s structure, using flame-retardant wiring, and installing multiple fire detection and suppression systems.
- In addition, electric cars are required to meet strict safety standards and undergo rigorous testing before they are allowed on the market.
- Electric car owners can also take steps to reduce the risk of fire by properly maintaining their vehicle and following charging instructions.
- Proper charging involves using the correct charging cord and outlet, avoiding overloading the outlet, and not leaving the car unattended while it is charging.
Comparison to Gasoline-Powered Cars
- Despite their low incidence of fire, electric cars receive more media attention when they do catch fire compared to gasoline-powered cars.
- This is likely due to the perceived novelty and perceived safety of electric cars.
- However, it is important to note that electric cars are no more likely to catch fire than gasoline-powered cars.
- In fact, the low incidence of electric car fires may be partially attributed to the advanced safety measures and stringent testing that electric cars are subjected to.
- Overall, it is important to prioritize safety regardless of the type of vehicle being driven.
About Car Fires:
Car fires refer to incidents in which a vehicle’s engine, fuel, or electrical systems catch fire and burn.
These fires can occur for various reasons, including collisions, accidents, electrical malfunctions, and charging issues. Car fires can be especially dangerous because they can spread quickly and engulf the entire vehicle, as well as potentially spreading to nearby objects or structures. It is important to take steps to prevent car fires and to know what to do in the event of a car fire to minimize the risk of injury or damage.
This includes properly maintaining your vehicle, following safety instructions for charging electric vehicles, and being aware of the potential causes of car fires. In the event of a car fire, it is important to evacuate the area and call for emergency services as soon as possible.
Conclusion
It is rare for either electric cars or gasoline-powered cars to catch fire. However, statistics show that gasoline-powered cars are more likely to catch fire than electric cars.
In the United States, electric cars accounted for just 0.1% of all vehicle fires in 2019, while gasoline-powered cars accounted for 87% of all vehicle fires in the same year. In Europe, electric cars accounted for just 0.02% of all vehicle fires in 2019, while gasoline-powered cars accounted for 84% of all vehicle fires in the same year.
It is worth noting that these statistics may be partially influenced by the fact that there are many more gasoline-powered cars on the road than electric cars. However, even when the numbers are adjusted to account for the relative prevalence of each type of vehicle, gasoline-powered cars still have a higher incidence of fire.
Overall, it is important to prioritize safety regardless of the type of vehicle being driven, and to take steps to prevent car fires by properly maintaining your vehicle and following safety instructions.