![]() ![]() If your vehicle caught fire because of a defective part, like a faulty battery, you are likely eligible to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer under product liability law. Can I take legal action if my car catches on fire? Call the fire department, especially in the case of an EV fire, to ensure the fire is completely extinguished. Attempting to extinguish it on your own could result in severe burns or other serious injuries. If your vehicle does catch fire, whether while parked or as the result of a car crash, your first priority is to get away from the vehicle as soon as possible. Red flags for EVs include your battery failing to hold a charge or draining faster than usual. Signs that something is wrong include a sudden drop in oil or fuel levels, extreme engine temperature changes, burning smells or smoke coming from the vents or engine, popping fuses, or other warning signs. Remember, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Watch for red flags with charging issues, such as your battery not holding a charge or draining faster than normal.” What should I do if my vehicle catches fire?īe alert for early warning signs that your vehicle may be in trouble. You want to ensure the vehicle has no damage, especially near the lithium battery. One expert advises vehicle owners in the report, “Ensure you have all recalls taken care of. Even when an EV fire appears extinguished, because the battery provides a prolonged source of energy and fuel, it can reignite hours later. ![]() ![]() Complicating this problem is the fact that because EVs are still relatively new, some fire departments aren’t familiar with how to put out these types of fires. Even after appearing to be turned off for 24 hours, the batteries can generate enough heat to re-ignite.”īatteries can ignite from high temperatures or overcharging – but they’re not supposed to. Lithium-ion batteries are notoriously difficult to keep cool. “Electric automobiles catch fire less frequently than gasoline-powered cars, but the duration and intensity of the fires can make them considerably more difficult to put out due to the use of lithium-ion battery packs. Axel Hernborg, CEO of Tripplo, told AutoInsuranceEZ: This means, unlike gas, once an EV catches fire, it can continue burning for hours. Why do defective batteries cause car fires?Įlectric vehicles use lithium-ion batteries as their fuel source. ![]() BMW 530e, xDrive30e, Mini Cooper Countryman All4 SE, i8, 330e, 745Le xDrive, & X5 xDrive45eįire risk recalls for gas vehicles, on the other hand, cited issues like electrical shorts, fuel leaks, or braking systems – but not batteries.Ten different hybrid and electric vehicles recalled that year all suffered from defective battery issues, including the: Using data from 2020, researchers compared fire risk recalls for all three types of vehicles (gas, hybrid, and electric). This has to do with the battery, which we’ll talk about more in a moment.Īs you’ll see below, when hybrid and EVs are recalled for fire risks, battery issues are almost always the cause. Electric vehicles: 25 fires per 100K salesĪlthough electric vehicles (EVs) may not catch fire as often as other vehicles, when they do catch fire, they can be extremely difficult to extinguish and cause much more damage.Gas vehicles: 1,529 fires per 100K sales.Hybrid vehicles: 3,474 fires per 100K sales.Researchers posed the question, “ Are electric vehicles more prone to car fires than gas or hybrid vehicles?” Using data collected and analyzed from sources including the National Transportation Safety Board ( NTSB), Bureau of Transportation Statistics ( BTS), and government recall data from, researchers broke down incidents of car fires by vehicle and fuel type.Īfter crunching car fire statistics and sales data, the authors of the study found that hybrids actually have more fires per 100K sales, with: Between past recalls, ongoing recalls, and future recalls sure to come, you may be concerned that your own car might burst into flames at any moment.Ī recent study from insurance experts might have some answers. The most newsworthy recalls of late are electric vehicles, specifically some Tesla, Chevy, and Hyundai car models. Millions of vehicles from a variety of manufacturers are currently under recall for risk of catching fire, which can cause property damage and tragic loss of life. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |