Elvira 
Fire is one of the most terrifying things and it’s natural that people want to avoid even the slightest chance of a fire. After all, who isn’t afraid of the terrible pain that fire can bring? Whether at home, work, or daily commuting, people want to be as sure as they can be that they are not going to have any unexpected incidents which is the most logical action to take, especially when it comes to their vehicle.
Cars, among all places that people can be, by their nature, have a higher risk of catching on fire because well, they have lots of combustible materials in them to make them function, whether it’s gasoline, diesel, or a battery in electric vehicles! Other than the obvious one which is either the fuel in gasoline cars or the battery in EVs, there are plenty of other materials in cars that can burn. From the plastic components in the dashboard and seats to the bumpers, nearly every part of a car can become fuel in the event of a fire.
What can users do to avoid any incident? Not much. One step is choosing the right type of vehicle to begin with when they buy it. But how should they decide? Should they go for a diesel, gasoline, electric, or hybrid vehicle? And perhaps most importantly, what sources of information can they trust when making this decision?
The Reality of Vehicle Fires
Talking in numbers makes the reality of the situation more sensible and tangible, compared to the over-exaggeration that we usually see on social media and news coverage. Research and statistics show some numbers that might surprise you! Gathered from various sources, the median of car fires for each type are showing interesting results. Hybrid cars had 3474.5 fires per 100,000 sales; petrol cars had 1,529.9 fires per 100,000 sales and EVs had just 25.1 fires per 100,000 sales. This shows that even though there is so much content and rumors, EVs are in fact the safest vehicles and hybrid cars are the most dangerous ones when it comes to fire incidents.
Why the Fear?
So why does the myth of EVs being more dangerous persist? The answer lies in how the media reports on these incidents. When an EV catches fire, it’s often front-page news, accompanied by dramatic images of firefighters battling the flames. The story is usually presented with little context, such as the rarity of such events or the fact that all vehicles, regardless of their power source, can catch fire under certain conditions.
This kind of reporting creates a perception that EVs are more dangerous than they really are. It’s a classic example of fear-driven journalism, where isolated incidents are portrayed as common occurrences. The result? A public perception that fuels unnecessary anxiety.
The Science Behind EV Fires
It’s important to understand why EV batteries can catch fire. Lithium-ion batteries, which power most electric vehicles and many other battery-powered devices like phones and laptops, are generally very safe. However, like any technology, they are not without risks. In rare cases, a defect in the battery, severe damage from an accident, or extreme overheating can cause a thermal runaway—a chain reaction that leads to a fire.
But, modern EVs are equipped with advanced safety systems designed to prevent such scenarios. These include sophisticated battery management systems (BMS) that monitor the health and temperature of each cell, automatic shutdown mechanisms in case of a crash, and cooling systems that prevent overheating. These measures make EV fires extremely rare, even rarer than fires in gasoline vehicles.
Why Conventional Cars Are More Prone to Fires?
Gasoline is highly flammable. In conventional cars, there are several potential sources of ignition, such as electrical sparks, hot surfaces, and fuel leaks. Combined with the fact that gasoline can vaporize and create explosive mixtures with air, it’s no surprise that gasoline-powered cars are more likely to catch fire.
Also, the internal combustion engine itself generates a lot of heat, increasing the chances of a fire starting if a fuel line is damaged or if the engine overheats. On the other hand, EVs don’t carry flammable liquids like gasoline or oil, which reduces the fire risk.
The Myth
It’s time to break the myth that EVs are more dangerous than conventional cars. The fear surrounding EV fires is baseless and is more a product of media than scientific reality. When we look at the data and the technology behind EVs, it gets clear that electric cars are not only safer in terms of fire risk but also more efficient.
EV technology is evolving continuously, and we must separate fact from fiction. While no car is completely immune to the risk of fire, electric cars are statistically less likely to catch fire than gasoline cars. So, the next time you hear someone show concern about EV battery fires, share the facts.
