# Research is Underway on Rare Electric Vehicle Battery Fires

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/10/research-is-underway-on-rare-electric-vehicle-battery-fires/
- Published: 2022-10-28T08:52:13-04:00
- Author: Eillin Delapaz

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina will soon be the home of two more electric vehicle
battery factories. Toyota and Vinfast both announced multi-million-dollar facilities
to create new technology. This is to meet the growing demand for [electric](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/07/a-new-battery-that-can-break-the-transportation-market/)
and hybrid vehicles. Many people have questions and concerns about the [batteries](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/12/new-york-starts-first-large-scale-lithium-ion-battery-production/).
For example, do they have a higher chance of catching on fire? We’re going to tackle
one of them right now.

![A close-up of an electric vehicle charging station with a car plugged in, set 
against a blurred background of vehicles and greenery.](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.
com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/electric-car-g79d144380_1920.jpg?resize=780%2C520&
quality=52&ssl=1)

An [electric vehicle charging](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/04/automakers-turn-to-climate-deniers-in-quest-to-lower-fuel-economy-regulations/)
station with a plugged-in car, highlighting the growing infrastructure for electric
vehicles.

## THE QUESTION

Does an [electric vehicle battery](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/07/battery-ev-myths-that-mislead-consumers-today/)
have a higher chance of catching fire than a gas-powered car engine?

## OUR SOURCES

 1. Emma Sutcliffe, director of [EV FireSafe,](https://www.evfiresafe.com/what-is-ev-firesafe)
    an Australia-based research project looking into the potential risks electric vehicle
    fires pose to first responders
 2. Matt Moore with the [Insurance Institute for Highway Safety](https://www.iihs.org/)
 3. [AutoinsuranceEZ](https://www.autoinsuranceez.com/)

## THE ANSWER

![A graphic displaying the word 'FALSE' in bold letters, with a red background and
a red 'X' symbol.](https://i0.wp.com/www.wcnc.com/assets/shared-images/icons/verify/
badge-false.png?w=780&quality=50&ssl=1)

Electric vehicle batteries do not have a higher fire risk than gas-powered engines,
emphasizing advancements in safety technologies.

No, [electric vehicle batteries](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/07/ai-battery-ev-enhancing-electric-vehicle-efficiency/)
do not have a higher chance of catching fire than gas-powered car engines. In fact,
numerous studies indicate that the safety [systems in electric vehicles](https://greenlivingguy.com/2008/12/ac-propulsion-pioneering-the-electric-vehicle-ac-systems/)
are designed to minimize the risk of fire. These systems provide rigorous protection
for the battery packs. These include thermal management and sophisticated monitoring
to prevent overheating. Meanwhile, modern gas-powered car engines are also susceptible
to fires due to leaks and flammable materials. Furthermore, the overall incidence
of [fires in electric vehicles](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/11/idtechex-releases-new-report-on-fire-protection-materials-for-electric-vehicle-batteries/)
is statistically comparable to, if not lower than, that of traditional internal 
combustion engine vehicles. This reflects advancements in safety technologies across
both categories.

## WHAT WE FOUND

Sutcliffe’s team has been collecting data on electric vehicle battery fires across
the globe since the first one was reported in 2019. She’s particularly interested
in fires involving high-voltage batteries.

“[Electric](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/04/electric-car-talk-with-the-many-shades-of-green-radio-show/)
vehicle, lithium-ion battery fires are very rare; we’ve been able to verify less
than 200 globally since 2010,” Sutcliffe said. “So they’re very rare at the moment.”

Moore and IIHS have focused on this concern in the United States, conducting extensive
research. Their findings highlight the emerging trends and issues related to road
safety. Similar patterns of accidents and safety challenges exist across various
states. This suggests a widespread need for improved crash prevention measures and
enhanced driver awareness campaigns. By analyzing data from multiple regions, they
aim to provide insights. These could help shape future policies and initiatives 
aimed at reducing roadway fatalities and promoting safer driving habits.

## Conclusion

The IIHS research on [electric vehicle battery](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/07/ai-battery-ev-enhancing-electric-vehicle-efficiency/)
fires proves that understanding the underlying causes of these incidents is crucial
for improving vehicle safety. By analyzing a variety of case studies and incident
reports, researchers have identified key factors contributing to the prevalence 
of battery-related fires. This research not only sheds light on the mechanisms that
lead to such dangerous situations, but it also emphasizes the importance of rigorous
testing and the need for continuous advancements in battery technology. As electric
vehicle adoption increases, ensuring the safety of these vehicles becomes paramount,
paving the way for both consumer confidence and regulatory compliance in the automotive
industry.

[Continue reading this article by Sarah Beckman via WCNC](https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/verify/electric-vehicle-fires-rare-verify-research-continues/275-2dbf7fd1-5d5d-48a7-b2c1-a46490f55637)

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 Eillin Delapaz

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