Are Electric Vehicles a Fire Risk?
While more Americans are choosing Electric Vehicles (EVs), many consumers still have concerns over reliability and safety. The powerful batteries that make EVs run are at the center of these fears, with car buyers wondering whether hybrid and electric vehicles pose an increased risk of fire and explosion.
Several recent incidents in Texas have made some Houstonians worried. This July, one of Amazon’s new electric delivery vans caught fire. In March of 2023, a Houston homeowner’s garage went up in flames when the charger for his electric Audi malfunctioned. And just this month, firefighters responded too late to the burning wreckage of a Tesla Cybertruck in a Baytown, where the blaze was so intense that the license plate, VIN and victim could not be identified.
But how common are electric vehicle fires, and are they really more dangerous than other cars? Read on to learn the facts.
Electric Vehicles are Less likely to catch fire
According to the most recent statistics, traditional vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE) are actually far more likely to catch fire than electric vehicles, but slightly less likely to spontaneously ignite than hybrids.
“Data from the National Transportation Safety Board showed that EVs were involved in approximately 25 fires for every 100,000 sold. Comparatively, approximately 1,530 gasoline-powered vehicles and 3,475 hybrid vehicles were involved in fires for every 100,000 sold.”
- Collisions and wrecks
- Excess temperatures in hot climates
- Parking on top of flammable materials, like dry grass or autumn leaves
- Degradation of fuel lines and gas tanks in older vehicles
But Electric Vehicle fires can be more dangerous
While EV’s are less likely to catch fire, the intensity and duration of electric vehicle fires requires special consideration. Gasoline has a higher energy density than electric vehicle batteries, but the fuel is burned up quickly. Electric batteries have individual cells that store chemical energy, and can continue adding energy to a fire over a longer period of time. In some instances, electric vehicle fires have continued for hours despite intervention from firefighters.
In Korea, a Mercedes with an NMC battery spontaneously ignited inside a parking garage caused severe smoke inhalation symptoms for residents. It’s important to note that the NMC battery used by this vehicle is a different battery chemistry than other Lithium Ion batteries employed by newer Teslas, Toyotas, and Hyundais, and this likely played a role in the ignition.
“The explosion, which occurred in an underground parking garage, caused a fire that burned for eight hours. This incident resulted in significant damage to the building and vehicles, and posed a severe risk to public safety..”
Compounding the problem are poor regulations and uneven enforcement, with many facilities lacking the automatic sprinkler systems that would be required in the United States.
“My apartment’s management office informed me in late May that electric vehicles were being banned from parking on the premises.”
Combating Electric Battery Fires
Because of the unique challenges battery fires pose, including re-ignition after a blaze appears contained, many fire departments are developing novel techniques. While water is still recommended to prevent the spread of fire beyond the site of ignition,
the water can also conduct electricity depending upon the battery chemistry.
In some locations, especially away from municipal water mains, there’s simply not enough water to get the job done. One Tesla continued burning for four hours after 30,000 gallons of water was used. Some first responders are instead utilizing specialized fire suppressing blankets.
Electric Vehicle Fires in Houston
On July 1st, one of Amazon’s electric delivery vans caught fire in a Houston parking lot after being subjected to hours of 98 degree heat. While Houstonians may regard anything under 100 degrees as a mild summer temperature, the pressure can cause battery cells to corrode – both in internal combustion vehicles and in EVs.
Fortunately the fire occurred outside, and HFD firefighters were quick to respond. The delivery vans, manufactured by Rivian, were added to Amazon’s fleet in July of 2023.
How can I protect my family from Electric Vehicle fires?
Understandably, questions about infrastructure availability, longevity, safety and cost are slowing the adoption of electric vehicles. Nevertheless, Americans bought over 1.5 million electric vehicles in 2023, and ERCOT expects that there will be 1 million in Texas alone by 2028.
Fires remain extremely rare, and more common in gasoline vehicles than in electric vehicles. But, if you wish to protect yourself further, make sure you follow some common sense safety tips.
- Make sure you park on clear, clean ground with no flammable material underneath.
- Maintain your vehicle and take seriously any warnings about coolant or overheating.
- Do not leave your vehicle running inside closed spaces or poorly ventilated areas
- Check the health of your battery regularly.
Even if you do not drive an electric vehicle or hybrid, you should still visually inspect your battery for signs of corrosion that might indicate a leak, or irregular swelling – especially in hot summer months.
While fires are rare, Texans' fears of danger in high temperatures are not unfounded. Manufacturers should do more to increase fire safety of their vehicles, increase cell resilience and adopt battery technologies that can tolerate Texas summers.
A few reasons you should hire Wham & Rogers to represent your serious car or truck accident case.
If you own a vehicle with keyless entry or a "push-to-start" ignition, you need to know about the relay attack.
Intersections and high center of gravity vehicles are associated with dangerous rollover crashes.
Can Parents be Held Liable for Their Child’s Negligence on an E-Bike?
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. None of the information on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
A few reasons you should hire Wham & Rogers to represent your serious car or truck accident case.
If you own a vehicle with keyless entry or a "push-to-start" ignition, you need to know about the relay attack.
Intersections and high center of gravity vehicles are associated with dangerous rollover crashes.
Can Parents be Held Liable for Their Child’s Negligence on an E-Bike?
When robot s rule the road, who's responsible for safety?
The crash at the intersection of Lake Woodlands and Grogans Mill knocked the wheels right off the Ford F-150.
On February 18, 2026, an accident involving a motorcycle and two other vehicles occurred on Aldine Westfield Road near Wood River Drive, Fox26 Houston reports. An off-duty officer was operating the motorcycle and was found unresponsive at the scene. Despite the efforts of EMS and firefighters, they were unable to save the deputy. The investigation into the crash is being handled by the Precinct 4 accident investigation team, and all lanes on Aldine Westfield Road were shut down due to the incident. The driver of the vehicle stayed on the scene and was not impaired at the time of the accident. It is not yet clear if the crash was related to the arrest of a Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office deputy at the scene, who was charged with DWI.
February 12th, 2026, Houston: An 18-wheeler rollover on Southwest Freeway near Chimney Rock Road blocked multiple outbound lanes, leading to major delays for commuters, KHOU reports. The truck rolled onto its passenger side, crushing a pickup truck and dragging it approximately 100 yards. Fortunately, the pickup truck’s driver escaped unscathed, and there were no reported injuries. Fire officials also noted that the semi-truck did not lose its load during the incident. If you have been injured in a serious truck or 18-wheeler accident in Texas, please call Wham & Rogers for a free consultation at 832-592-1108 .
On February 5, 2026, a dramatic rescue unfolded on Highway 290 near Mason Road in Cypress, Texas, when a woman found herself trapped in her vehicle after a major two-vehicle crash. The crash caused significant delays, with two westbound main lanes on Highway 290 remaining closed. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office reported that when emergency services arrived at the scene, they discovered the woman wedged underneath a truck . This type of accident is called a Side Underride Crash , and car manufacturers face pressure to install additional safeguards. Thanks to the efforts of first responders, the woman was safely removed from her vehicle and taken to the hospital for further care. If you have been injured in a serious car accident in Houston, please call Wham & Rogers for a free consultation at 832-592-1108.
A new video released after a fatal crash in the Texas Panhandle shows a truck on US 87 crashing into four young women from the Houston area. The women had to reduce their speed due to a flat tire, and had turned the hazard lights on. Despite their precautions, an 18-wheeler transporting produce for the San Antonio-based grocery chain H-E-B collided with the Nissan Altima, tragically killing the driver and three passengers. Long hours, insufficient training and lax monitoring make commercial vehicle and big rig accidents all too common on Texas roadways.
