Electric Vehicle Fire Safety Tips

NFPA free safety tip sheet

Lithium-ion batteries power a number of items used every day, from cell phones to laptops, along with scooters, golf carts, and electric vehicles.

Fires involving these batteries and floods are nothing new, but it is an increasingly common danger as more and more drivers choose electric over gasoline.

“The danger with lithium-ion batteries themselves is that there’s a lot of power in a small little package. And when that energy is released, it’s a tremendous amount of energy and a tremendous amount of heat,” said Rob Herrin, public safety information chief for Hillsborough County Fire Rescue in Tampa.

In 2022, Hurricane Ian caused 20 electric cars to catch fire after they flooded with salt water, creating hazards for first responders.

After more fires followed Hurricane Idalia last year, Florida’s Palm Harbor Fire Rescue issued another warning:
“If you own a hybrid or electric vehicle that has come into contact with saltwater due to recent flooding within the last 24 hours, it is crucial to relocate the vehicle from your garage without delay. Saltwater exposure can trigger combustion in lithium-ion batteries. If possible, transfer your vehicle to higher ground,” the agency said.

When the lithium-ion batteries used to power today’s electric vehicles catch fire, they burn much differently than the gasoline used to power internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Explore the following information and resources from NFPA to learn more about EV fires and how you can stay safer.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has created a free safety tip sheet. They outline key considerations for consumers who own or are thinking about owning an electric vehicle. It details considerations for charging your EV at home, having maintenance done on your vehicle, and more.

Today, there are an estimated 40 million electric vehicles (EVs) on roadways worldwide. This number is expected to grow in the coming years with the development of more large, family-friendly models entering the market all the time. At the same time, consumer concerns about the fire safety risk of EVs are increasing. Lithium-ion batteries, which are the most widely used and reliable source of energy for today’s electric vehicles, are central to these questions about safety.

National Drive Electric Week (September 27 – October 6) is a great opportunity to raise awareness about electric vehicle safety. You can help by downloading free resources and safety information offered by NFPA to share with your community.

The NFPA Electric Vehicles: Safe Charging at Home tip sheet, is easy to download and outlines what car owners need to know about safely charging an EV, having maintenance done on a vehicle, and more. You can read more on NFPA’s website nfpa.org/evsafetyinfo

Click HERE on this link to download the tip sheet.

Never charge your cell phone under your pillow!

Click HERE to learn a whole lot more on Lithium-ion Safety.

Please contact us to find out how you and your community can take advantage of the Agoura Hills Fire Safe Council and our Firewise community programs.

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