Burning Misconceptions

Introduction

With our perpetual tenacity to move forward and enhance our lives through new technological avenues, electric vehicles (EVs) have emerged as one of the latest ‘innovations’ (yes, we know, electric cars existed almost 200 years ago), promising reduced carbon emissions and a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel-powered vehicles.

However, with every new change comes the challenges, setbacks, fears and myths associated with it, and these perspectives formed from unclear facts are especially prevalent in today’s age of social media. Often, we see alarming headlines about EVs bursting into flames. Are these concerns legitimate, or are they just fueling a fire of misinformation? Let us separate facts from an ocean of myths in the electrifying world of EVs and fire safety.

Market Trends: The Accelerating Growth of EVs

Before diving into the myths and facts about EV fires, it is essential to understand the market dynamics of electric vehicles. The EV market is not just growing; it is accelerating at a remarkable pace. The following paragraphs provide some key trends shaping the future of EVs.

Explosive Growth and Adoption

The global EV market has seen exponential growth over the past decade. In 2020, the number of electric cars on the road surpassed 10 million, marking a 43% increase from the previous year, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) [1]. This surge is driven by a combination of technological advancements, regulatory incentives, and a growing public awareness of climate change.

This growth is in part driven by the fact that many governments around the world are implementing policies to accelerate the adoption of EVs. Countries like Norway and the Netherlands are leading the way with aggressive targets and incentives. Norway, for example, aims to sell only zero-emission cars by 2025 [2]. The United States has set a goal for EVs to make up 50% of all new vehicle sales by 2030, backed by substantial federal investments in EV infrastructure with a focus robust charging infrastructure making EV ownership more convenient and accessible.

Battery Technology and Cost Reduction

Advances in battery technology are crucial to the growth of the EV market. The cost of lithium-ion batteries has dropped by nearly 80% over the past decade [3], thus making EVs more affordable for consumers. Additionally, new developments in solid-state batteries promise to deliver even greater efficiency, longer range, and faster charging times.

Consumer Acceptance and Market Demand

The consumer acceptance of EVs is growing as people become more environmentally conscious and aware of the benefits of electric driving. According to a survey by McKinsey, nearly 40% of consumers considering a new vehicle purchase are now open to buying an EV. This shift in consumer sentiment is reflected in the increasing market share of EVs, which continues to rise every year.

Let's move on to some hard-learned facts and common myths. If we do not address these now, they could become widely accepted as truths, especially in our fast-paced, social media-driven world.

Myth 1: EVs Catch Fire More Often Than ICE Vehicles

One of the most persistent myths is that EVs are more prone to catching fire than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. However, the data tells a different story.

Fact Check: Studies show that EVs are actually less likely to catch fire compared to ICE vehicles. For instance, a report from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) indicates that for every 100,000 EVs on the road, there are about 25 fires. In contrast, there are 1,530 fires for every 100,000 ICE vehicles. Similarly, in a recent report published by the Denmark’s emergency management agency [5], for average period of 2018-2021 there were 2.8 fires per 10,000 registered EV. However, in the same period there were 4.6 fires per 10,000 registered ICE vehicles. Two facts are worth noting here. First, the two data sets are vastly different, and other discrepancies of this nature are found in yet other datasets. Thus, there is a need for better statistics. Second, and the main point - there is no support for saying that EVs are more prone to fires. In fact, the existing information points to the opposite being the case.

Point to remember: Most vehicle fires tend to occur in older cars with high mileage and poor maintenance. For electric vehicles (EVs), this issue might become more significant in the future since EVs are relatively new compared to traditional gas-powered cars. This raises questions about whether we will see more EV fires as the vehicles age.

However, there is some further positive news with respect to the fire safety of aging EVs. According to a recent post by EV Firesafe, the current data suggests an exceptionally minimal risk of thermal runaway in EVs. Although this dataset is still preliminary, it is a promising sign for the future of EV fire safety.                

Myth 2: EVs catch fire spontaneously on the road and in car parks

A common misconception is that all EV batteries are fragile and ready to burst into flames while the vehicles are coasting on a highway. Let us look at this from an informed perspective.