Electronic Vehicle Battery Concerns
Hybrid electric vehicles have been on the market in the United States since 1999, with some 5.4 million having sold through 2020. However, the sales of hybrids peaked in 2013 as more and more plug-in electric vehicles have been sold — about 1.5 million from 2010 to 2020. As sales of electric vehicles of all types continue to increase, a connected concern also increases whether all these electric vehicle batteries pose a threat.
Most electric vehicle batteries use lithium-ion technology similar to that used in smartphones, laptops, and other small consumer electronics — some of which themselves have been subject to unexpected fires. If we consider, however, the difference in the amount of energy necessary to power a handheld smartphone versus the amount of energy needed to move a one-and-a-half or two-ton vehicle, it quickly becomes apparent just how much energy can be stored in an electric vehicle battery.
We may have also noticed the warnings on our consumer electronics batteries not to puncture or damage the batteries and to dispose of them properly. These warnings are because a damaged battery can cause the stored energy to be suddenly and dangerously released. In the same way that a damaged vaping device battery can catch someone’s clothes on fire or a damaged laptop battery can be a danger in an aircraft cargo hold, an electric vehicle battery that has been damaged in a traffic accident can pose a significant — and much, much larger — hazard to the drivers and passengers in the vehicles and to the fire, police, and towing company personnel who may be responsible for responding to the accident, extricating injured people, and cleaning up the damaged vehicles and debris.
NTSB Weighs In On Threat from Electric Vehicle Batteries
The National Transportation Safety Board — the NTSB — recently released a report addressing these concerns, specifically related to first responders at an accident scene involving an electric vehicle. The most significant findings are that:
- Electric vehicle batteries pose a threat to first responders;
- The threat includes the danger of both fire and electric shock; and
- There is far too little guidance available for first responders in mitigating risks from electric vehicle batteries.
This particular report was based upon evidence collected from four vehicle fires involving Tesla batteries. Three of the fires occurred after vehicle crashes, and one did not. In all the incidents, the fires were initially extinguished, but three of them subsequently re-ignited.
The NTSB noted that the damaged lithium-ion batteries posed risks of electric shock and burn injuries due to the residual energy released from a damaged battery. The NTSB also found that recommended procedures for dealing with damaged batteries — both from the vehicle manufacturers and from fire professionals’ “best practices” were inadequate.
NTSB Recommendations
The NTSB is responsible for investigating and reporting transportation accidents and their causes. Since the agency does not have responsibility for enforcing regulations, it proposed that:
- Electric vehicle manufacturers prepare emergency response guidelines specific to the individual vehicles;
- NHTSA — the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration — organize a group to study new and improved techniques for dealing with fire and shock hazards from damaged vehicle batteries; and
- NTSB continues to monitor and report on new accidents and new developments.
Electric Vehicle Batteries Pose a Threat Different from Other Fires
Most vehicle fires are fought using either water or fire extinguishers to rob the flames of the oxygen necessary to keep burning. However, electric vehicle batteries that are damaged will continue to release heat and/or electricity until their energy has been depleted. Water and fire extinguishers may keep the fire from spreading to other materials, but they do not stop releasing energy from the battery, so re-ignition is a major concern.
Learn more about electric care fires from this video:
Sacramento Products Liability Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento products liability lawyer and car accident lawyer for more than 38 years. As more and more electric vehicles are on our roadways, more of them will inevitably be involved in traffic crashes, increasing the likelihood that electric vehicle batteries pose a threat. If that results in fire or electric shock injuries from a defective vehicle battery, you may be able to submit a claim for financial compensation for your injuries. To receive free and friendly advice, speak with one of our injury attorneys by giving us a call at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. We also have an online contact form available if you prefer to contact us that way.
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Photo Attribution: Joenomias on Pixabay
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