Authorities issue warning: Saltwater exposure can cause electric vehicles to ignite.

Hurricane Idalia ‍and Electric Vehicle Fire Risk in Florida

Hurricane⁣ Idalia and subsequent‌ floods have created a concerning situation for electric vehicle (EV) owners in Florida. According to statements from the Palm Harbor Fire Rescue (PHFR), batteries exposed to saltwater become ‍susceptible to combustion, posing a fire ‌risk.

“WARNING. If you own ⁤a hybrid or electric vehicle that ⁤has come‍ into ⁤contact with saltwater due to recent flooding within the last 24 hours, it is crucial to relocate the⁤ vehicle from your garage without delay. Saltwater⁣ exposure can trigger‍ combustion in lithium-ion⁣ batteries. If possible, transfer your vehicle⁢ to ⁣higher ground,” PHFR ‍advised in an ⁤Aug. 31 Facebook ​post.

“This includes golf carts and electric scooters. Don’t drive these through⁢ water. PHFR crews have seen numerous‌ residents out in‍ golf carts and children on scooters riding through water.”

EV Fires​ and the Lingering Danger of Saltwater

The issue with saltwater is that even⁣ if the water dries off, the residue can remain, potentially triggering electrical connections within the EV⁣ battery, which⁤ eventually sparks into a fire. PHFR highlighted two Tesla EVs in Dunedin that had caught⁤ fire as‌ examples of this risk.

Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) ⁤and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis had previously warned citizens about the fire hazard⁣ posed‍ by saltwater in electric vehicles. He emphasized that these fires are not easily suppressed and can⁤ only be managed⁤ by keeping water ​on the battery until⁣ the fuel burns out.

Delayed Fire Threat and Lack ⁣of Awareness

It is important to note that ⁢lithium-ion batteries do⁤ not necessarily catch​ fire immediately⁢ after being exposed to water. ⁢Instead, fires can break out days or even weeks later. Many EV owners are unaware ⁢of the risks ​that floods pose to their vehicles.

Patrick Olsen, spokesperson for Carfax, which sells new and used vehicles, explained, “I have heard EV owners say, ‘I don’t have an ‍engine⁣ that ⁢can be flooded ​so ⁣I can drive in deep water.’ ‍That’s not the ⁤case.”

PHFR training chief‍ Jason Haynes⁤ shared an‌ incident where a submerged Tesla⁢ suddenly burst into flames while⁤ being ⁤towed by fire ⁤crews.

Understanding EV Battery Fires and Tesla’s Guidance

Lithium-ion batteries in‍ EVs consist of groups of cells packed inside a compartment, along with a flammable ⁢liquid electrolyte. These batteries can contain ‍up to ⁤1,000⁣ times more cells compared to e-bikes.

When water enters an EV battery, it can trigger a ⁣short circuit, causing the cells⁤ to discharge ⁣energy and heat. This can lead⁣ to a dangerous situation‍ called​ “thermal runaway,” where the heat spreads from one cell to another, resulting in an outburst.

Thomas Barth, ‌chief of ‍the special investigations branch of highway safety at the National Transportation ⁤Safety Board, explained, “If you have a damaged lithium-ion battery and it has energy which remains in the battery⁣ pack,​ we call that stranded energy … If⁣ you initiate a ⁢thermal runaway or venting ‌of ‍the flammable gas, the ‍battery ⁣can ignite.”

In some cases, even if the water drains out of the battery without incident,‌ contaminants and leftover substances like salt can ​still cause short-circuiting.

Tesla has‍ provided guidance for ‍owners on how to​ handle submerged EVs. They advise towing the vehicle or moving ⁢it at least 50 feet away from structures and combustible materials. The⁢ company also warns against attempting to operate a submerged vehicle unless it has been inspected ⁤by an authorized shop. If any signs of⁣ fire, smoke, or heating‌ are noticed, owners are urged to step away and contact local first responders.

EV Fire Risk and the Aftermath of Hurricane‌ Ian

The issue of EVs ‍catching fire⁤ was ⁤a significant concern following Hurricane ‌Ian in 2022. Florida CFO⁤ Jimmy Patronis‍ described the potential for EV fires as⁢ a “ticking time bomb” in a letter ​to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

He witnessed an⁣ EV continuously igniting and reigniting, despite fire teams dousing it with tens of thousands of gallons of water. This firsthand experience highlighted the severity of the fire risk ​associated with ⁤EVs in the aftermath of​ a hurricane.