Combustion Cars 60x More Likely to Catch Fire Than EVs, EV Fire Difficult to Extinguish

Prachachat•General•3d ago

Reader Briefing

Combustion engine vehicles are significantly more prone to fires than EVs, though EV fires are harder to extinguish due to self-sustaining heat and oxygen production.

•Combustion engine vehicles (diesel) are 20-60 times more likely to catch fire than electric vehicles (EVs).
•Fires in EV batteries are difficult to control due to uncontrollable heat accumulation and oxygen production.
•Causes of combustion car fires include fuel leaks, oil pump leaks, and direct contact with hot exhaust systems.
•EV battery fires can reignite for up to 48 hours and require extensive water cooling or special chemicals to extinguish.

Overview

•Global statistics indicate that combustion engine vehicles (ICE) have a fire occurrence rate 20 to 60 times higher than electric vehicles (EVs).
•Combustion car fires are attributed to factors such as fuel leaks from high-pressure fuel lines, leaking fuel pumps dripping onto exhaust pipes, and fuel contact with hot engine parts following collisions.
•EV battery fires are primarily caused by thermal runaway due to severe damage (penetration or malfunction) leading to short circuits and chemical reactions.
•Parking EVs in extremely hot areas for extended periods can accelerate battery chemical decomposition, increasing fire risk.
•Driving through flooded areas, especially saltwater, can corrode electrical systems and lead to external short circuits, potentially igniting fires.
•EV battery fires are difficult to control because EV batteries can produce oxygen during combustion, preventing the use of standard oxygen-depriving extinguishing methods.
•Extinguishing EV battery fires requires prolonged continuous water cooling (potentially thousands of liters for hours) or specialized chemicals like F-500 foam to manage heat and chemical reactions.
•After extinguishing an EV battery fire, the vehicle must be left in an open area away from people for at least 24-48 hours due to the risk of reignition.

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Source: Prachachat (Original)

Key Quotes

Dr. Sonthi Kochawat

"Global statistics show that internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles have a fire occurrence rate approximately 20 to 60 times higher than electric vehicles."

จากสถิติทั่วโลก พบว่า รถยนต์ที่ใช้เครื่องยนต์สันดาปภายใน (ICE) มีอัตราการเกิดไฟไหม้สูงกว่ารถยนต์ไฟฟ้าประมาณ 20 ถึง 60 เท่า

Dr. Sonthi Kochawat

"However, a costly lesson is that if an EV battery catches fire, it is many times harder to control due to the 'uncontrollable heat accumulation' effect, as it produces its own oxygen to sustain the fire."

ทว่าย้ำชัดบทเรียนราคาสูงหากแบตเตอรี่ EV ไหม้ คุมยากกว่าหลายเท่าตัวจากเอฟเฟ็กต์ “ความร้อนสะสมเกินควบคุม” ผลิตออกซิเจนเลี้ยงไฟเองได้

Key Entities

Person

Dr. Sonthi Kochawat(ดร.สนธิ คชวัฒน์)

An expert in environment and health who analyzed fire risks in combustion and electric vehicles.