Research suggests that the answer is yes.
While electric vehicles are often touted as being more environmentally friendly, there are concerns about their overall safety. Those who follow the news want to know what the truth is. You've seen those commercials where they say EVs are the future, but are they really safe?
EV sales have been trending as people seek ways to reduce their environmental impact. Yet, some people worry that the batteries used in EVs may be bad for the environment. Because methods used for battery production and disposal are improving, EV batteries aren't as harmful to the environment as you may think.
EV batteries comprise many materials, including metals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. These materials are all mined from the earth, so there is a potential for environmental damage during the mining process. However, EV batteries are also made up of recycled materials from old electric vehicle batteries. Although the system of recycling EV batteries is still a work in progress, it is becoming more efficient with time. It's good to know steps are being taken to address the issue.
When an EV battery reaches the end of its life, the materials can be extracted and used to make new batteries. This helps to reduce the need for mining and the associated environmental impact. Overall, EV batteries are not bad for the environment. In fact, they can be good for it. As more people use EVs, more electric vehicle batteries will be recycled. This will help reduce demand for mining entirely.
EV fires occur during charging, collisions, and if it has a faulty battery. EV Fire Safe conducted a study that found the chance of your passenger vehicle battery catching fire is 0.0012%, which is much lower than expected. It found that there were 104 confirmed cases of EVs igniting globally. 24 cases are still pending investigation.
In the 10-year study from 2010 to 2020, most incidents of fires occurred in 2020 when market shares reached 4.3%. This is likely because more EVs were on the road. As more EVs are sold, incidents will statistically increase. The focus remains on probability percentages, which still rank lower than gasoline vehicles.
EV charging fires happen because charging an EV produces heat, and if there is not enough ventilation, the heat builds up and causes a fire. The heat created by charging an EV can be expelled into the surrounding air. This means if the air in this space is hot, it will ignites anything flammable that is nearby. For this reason, it's important to always leave charging points clear before attempting to charge your EV.
Charging an EV can also cause a charging point to emit smoke, especially if there are high levels of energy use. At your home charging station, if you smell burning, it can be a sign that the car battery has been overcharged. This is one of the most common complaints about electric vehicles, as they need to be charged to keep them running smoothly.
Making your home EV-ready requires a few steps. The EV charging equipment in your home must handle the flow of current required for a full charge safely. Even if the EV is plugged in and running. To lower the risk of charging issues and fires, your home EV charging system should:
More tips on EV home charging safety can be found at usfa.fema.gov.
Electric vehicles pose a lower risk in a crash compared to hybrids and gasoline vehicles. Even so, EVs are extremely dangerous if they catch fire, since they are hard to extinguish. A study from the American Insurance Association (AIA) found that EVs are more at risk in a crash because they are more likely to catch fire.
According to Larson Law Firm, hybrids actually have more fires per 100K sales, with:
On the same topic, Axel Hernborg, CEO of Tripplo, told AutoInsuranceEZ:
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. Lithium-ion batteries are notoriously difficult to keep cool. Even after appearing to be turned off for 24 hours, the batteries can generate enough heat to re-ignite.
Lithium-ion batteries are also less durable than other types of batteries. As a result, they may catch fire if not properly maintained. Chinese EV maker BYD seems to have the solution EV makers have been looking for with its new Blade battery. BYD claims the battery is the first of its kind and is crush and heat-resistant. Tesla plans to use this revolutionary battery in its Model Y. With the Blade's arrival, lithium-ion batteries could soon be a thing of the past, ushering in a safer EV future.
An EV fire is usually caused by a battery fault or a compromised charging environment. EV fires can be prevented if the vehicle is properly maintained and the battery is not damaged. A number of studies have concluded that electric vehicles are just as safe as combustion engines. As safer batteries are developed and awareness about charging safety increases, EVs will become even safer. The EV market has come a long way. Advances in technology will continue to improve as consumers become more environmentally conscious and buy more EVs.
Charles is a car and motorcycle enthusiast and retired robotics engineer who served in the US Navy. In retirement, he spends most of his time writing and riding motorcycles.
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