How much of a fire risk are electric vehicles?

The news coverage of electric car fires and the surrounding discourse as to whether they are the cause of major blazes around the world is something that cannot be ignored. As the prominence of EVs on UK roads begins to spiral, more attention is turning to the safety concerns that such new technology presents, especially because manufacturers, journalists, politicians and the general public are still getting used to them. And while petrol and diesel cars still catch fire (remember the spate of Vauxhall Zafira fires not so long ago?), an EV fire commands a lot more attention. Related articles As the world gets used to this kind of technology and protocols are put in place to safeguard against disasters (for example ship owners are increasingly being told to protect their vessels against car fires), it's worth getting to grips with the statistics, why they command so much attention, how fire crews deal with them, and what it means for you as a consumer.  So that's exactly what we're going to tell you. Electric car fire statistics UK Electric car fires often make the headlines, but they are not a common occurrence. According to Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions, 239 fires recorded in the UK from July 2022 to June 2023 were linked to EVs. While this is an 83% increase year on year, it’s important to note the number has increased along with the increasing presence of EVs on our roads.  Meanwhile, according to Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, some 1898 fires in 2019 were from petrol and diesel vehicles, 54 from EVs. Another study by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency also revealed that electric cars are tweny times less likely to catch fire than petrol and diesel cars, with an additional stidy by both the agency and an American insurer finding that 25 out of 100,000 EVs suffer fire damage. By comparison, 1,530 per 100,000 petrol and diesel cars experience fire, with hybrid vehicles suffering a much higher risk of 3,475 per 100,000​​​​. Why do electric car fires command so much attention? Electric car fires draw increased attention for many reasons. The technology is new and newsworthy; and they’re complex and often heralded by a highly toxic vapour cloud accompanied by a hissing noise and highly directional jets, followed, possibly, by an explosion.  Electric car fires are also incredibly difficult to put out. You think it’s out, and then it erupts again hours, days or even weeks later. All this considered, it’s no wonder people are becoming concerned about electric car fires, not least those who have to put them out.