Electric car fire statistics 2024
The popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) in the U.S. has exploded in recent years, with millions of EVs registered nationally. However, some misconceptions about these vehicles and their safety remain, including perceptions that EVs are more likely to catch fire than gas-powered vehicles.
Though data on vehicle fires in the U.S. is limited, evidence from national studies in Europe and elsewhere suggest EV fires are actually rarer than fires involving other types of vehicles.
Still, EV fires can present unique challenges, as they are not extinguishable using a traditional fire extinguisher.
There were 2.4 million EVs registered in the U.S. in 2022, making up 0.9% of all vehicle registrations.
Jump to insightA Swedish report found fires in cars powered by internal combustion engines occurred 20 times more often than in electric vehicles in 2022.
Jump to insightThe number of highway vehicle fires in the U.S. fell from 456,000 in 1980 to less than 182,000 in 2018.
Jump to insightThe typical life span for an EV car battery is upward of eight to 12 years.
Jump to insightElectric car statistics
It was not until the 21st century that hybrid and electric vehicles began gaining widespread popularity and use across America. In recent years, EVs have gained significant popularity, with the number of registered EVs rising from just 280,000 in 2016 to more than 2.4 million in 2022.
But EVs still made up just a tiny share, less than 1%, of all vehicles on the roads across America in 2022.
Though the EV market is projected to continue growing rapidly in coming years, these vehicles — as well as hybrid electric vehicles — remain uncommon relative to gas-powered cars and trucks.
How common are electric car fires?
Publicly available data on vehicle fires is limited, and in the U.S., some false data about vehicle fires has proliferated. But studies from other countries provide a window into the rates of fires among EVs versus other vehicle types.
Australian firm EV FireSafe maintains a database of EV fire incidents that occur globally. It recorded fewer than 400 verified battery fires in passenger EVs between 2010 and June 2023.
In 2023, Sweden’s Authority for Social Protection and Preparedness (MSB) reported just 24 EV car fires in 2022, representing just 0.004% of the country’s 611,000 EVs.4 For cars running on gasoline or diesel fuel, the fire rate was 0.08%.
How common are vehicle fires for gas or hybrid vehicles?
While no U.S. agencies maintain regular data on vehicle fires, a 2020 report from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) found that car fires have declined significantly since the 1980s.
Between 1980 and 1991, the U.S. experienced upward of 400,000 highway vehicle fires each year. That number has since dropped significantly, with fewer than 200,000 such fires occurring annually between 2009 and 2018.
Why do electric cars catch fire?
Electric vehicle fires stem from thermal runaway, which occurs when a battery cell short circuits and heats up uncontrollably. This may happen in a serious crash if the battery is damaged and compromised.
That differs from a vehicle with an internal combustion engine that runs on gasoline or diesel fuel combustion. Such cars may suffer from overheating, leaking fuel lines or other system failures that could lead to fires.
Though EV fires are less likely to occur than other vehicle fires, an EV fire burns at a hotter temperature, releases flammable gasses and runs the risk of reignition even after being extinguished.
Unlike other fires, EV fires involving lithium-ion batteries also require greater resources to put out, such as fully submerging the vehicle in water or using a particular foam meant for lithium fires.
How long should an electric car battery last?
The average life span for an EV car battery is eight to 12 years and upward of 100,000 miles with warranty coverage, though that life span can stretch upward to 15 years under normal operating conditions.
Under federal law, manufacturers are required to provide a warranty on EV and hybrid batteries for at least eight years or 100,000 miles — with even greater coverage required in California. But whether the vehicle is covered by car insurance during a fire may depend on the source of the fire.
An EV’s battery is affected by charging levels and temperature. Fast charging is more likely to degrade lithium-ion batteries, for example, while driving in extreme temperatures can limit an EV’s range.
How large is the electric car market?
As the number of EVs in the U.S. has surged by millions in recent years, the market for EV sales has grown rapidly both nationally and internationally. The global EV market size was valued at $388 billion in 2023, up from nearly $331 billion in 2022. By 2030, the market is projected to grow to a value of more than $950 billion.
In recent years, the availability of EVs has grown significantly, with increased vehicle production and more models on the market. Market analysts expect the market to continue to grow rapidly as governments invest in EV charging infrastructure and as consumers turn to EVs as a means of reducing vehicle emissions.
As prices for EVs decrease, more consumers may see them as a viable option — leading to even greater adoption in future years.
FAQ
How many car fires occur in the U.S. per year?
Less than 200,000 highway vehicle fires occur annually, with the latest data available showing 181,500 such fires in 2018.
Are electric car fires a problem?
Though electric vehicle fires can be more severe and harder to extinguish than fires in gas-powered vehicles, they are less likely to occur. Studies have found that EV fires are rarer than fires affecting other vehicles.
How much does it cost to replace the battery in an EV?
The average cost for replacing an EV battery can range from less than $5,000 to upward of $17,000 depending on the make and model of the vehicle. EV batteries are generally covered by a warranty for eight years, though batteries typically have a life span that lasts longer than that.
What kind of fire extinguisher works for an electric car?
While a typical fire extinguisher cannot be used to put out a fire involving a lithium-ion EV battery, it is recommended that if such a fire occurs you try to cool the fire down through spraying water. Allowing the fire to burn out or submerging the vehicle entirely in water are other options as well.
References
- “Vehicle Registration Counts by State.” U.S. Department of Energy. Evaluated June 27, 2024.Link Here
- Dyer, E. “No, Millions of Cars Are Not Catching Fire Every Year.” Car and Driver. Evaluated June 27, 2024.Link Here
- “Passenger EV LiB fires, global, from 2010 to 30th June 2023.” EV FireSafe. Evaluated June 27, 2024.Link Here
- Stelle, L. “New study uncovers stunning misconception surrounding electric car fires — here's what most people get wrong.” The Cooldown. Evaluated June 27, 2024.Link Here
- Ahrens, M. “Vehicle fires.” National Fire Protection Association. Evaluated June 27, 2024.Link Here
- “Key Findings.” EV FireSafe. Evaluated June 27, 2024.Link Here
- Hyatt, K. “Electric Car Fires: What You Should Know.” Edmunds. Evaluated June 27, 2024.Link Here
- McAleer, B. “Electric Car Battery Life: Everything You Need to Know, Including How Long They Last.” Car and Driver. Evaluated June 27, 2024.Link Here
- “Electric Vehicle Market.” Markets and Markets. Evaluated June 27, 2024.Link Here
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