LOL. My mother was ranting about scary EVs that catch fire. They do. But so do gas cars, the press just doesn't cover those unless there is a lot of property damage or maybe a death.
I found this page, which, if you're going to present facts, do better.
"Less than 1% of all car fires are electric vehicles." Meaningless without factoring in the numbers of EV vs ICE. The site is UK: one source says EVs make up 4.75% of the cars. Later on, it mentions US, and a source estimates 9.2%.
1/n
I'm sure different sites will vary a bit, but ok. A lot fewer EVs.
"Thermal runaway within the battery is one of the most common causes of electric car fires." Later on, it mentions that this runaway is responsible for 60% of the EV fires.
Holy Hannah, that sounds terrifying. How does one keep that from happening?
"Around 18% of EV fires occur while the car is plugged in and charging, but the percentage could be as high as 30%." Well that adds stress to a fill up. 😃
2/n
Average fires are 4-5 hours but can last 24 hrs.
Common reasons for the fires: Overcharging, High ambient temperatures.
So plugging your car in over night is a problems? The cars don't know when to shut down before something "runs away?"
As for high, ambient temperatures, climate change is a thing. Not much control over that, so if you're driving at 40C, will there be an alert if the car is about to go zowy?
3/n
I guess now I should look up how many gas cars blow up at gas stations or on hot days. And whatever the equivalent of that runaway thermal thing is. 😃
Anyway, this is the article. I wish articles like this were better written. It's "EV cars are as safe as or safer than ICE, but here are all the scary things that may make it go boom, which make them sound not so safe."
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/the-latest-car-fire-statistics/
@CStamp@mastodon.social Problem is that #LithiumIon batteries are virtually non-extinguishable.
Not only do they gas out hydrofluoric acid vapour (that white cloud) but since they are a #MetalFire the only way to stop them is to wait for burnibg away everything, which will destroy not just the road surface but the tire bedding underneath, or to hope one can throw enough dry sandbags on it and let it glass itself intosome Corium-like substance that can then be cooled with water and dislocated with heavy gear.
Also to this day there are 0 recycling plants.in the entire #EU willing to take in burnt-out #Swasticar|s or similar #BEV|s!
@kkarhan@infosec.space @CStamp@mastodon.social Maybe that's an argument for hydrogen after all
@kkarhan@infosec.space Oh, that latter is really a problem. At least when gas cars are junked, they can be salvaged for parts and metal.
@CStamp@mastodon.social and not only are tzere recycling and safe disposal handling procedures established, even a cracked Lead-Acid - Battery isn't much of a problem as even Firefighter Trainees learn how to handle it.
The most dangerous parts on conventional cars are airbags, but these get removed and then detonated in a safety cage by spechally certified technicians.
@CStamp@mastodon.social and not only are tzere recycling and safe disposal handling procedures established, even a cracked Lead-Acid - Battery isn't much of a problem as even Firefighter Trainees learn how to handle it.
The most dangerous parts on conventional cars are airbags, but these get removed and then detonated in a safety cage by spechally certified technicians.
Carolyn
