Are Electric Vehicles More Prone to Fire Than Gasoline Cars?
Examining Fire Incident Statistics, Fire Behavior, and Suppression Strategies
Introduction: The Growing Concerns Over EV Fires
As of April 2022, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport of South Korea reported that the country had 25.07 million registered vehicles, meaning one vehicle for every two people. Among them, eco-friendly vehicles (EVs, hydrogen cars, and hybrids) exceeded 1.24 million, accounting for 5% of the total. The number of EVs alone reached 258,000, showing a 110,000-unit increase compared to the previous year.
🔗 Source: South Korean Government Report on Vehicle Registrations (April 2022)
As the EV market rapidly expands, reports of EV fires have gained media attention, fueling public concern. But are EVs actually more prone to fires than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles?
To answer this, we’ll examine:
- Fire statistics for both EVs and ICE vehicles
- Differences in fire behavior between the two vehicle types
- How EV fire suppression strategies differ from those of traditional cars
1. How Common Are Vehicle Fires?
According to South Korea’s National Fire Agency (NFA):
- In 2020, a total of 4,558 vehicle fires were reported.
- In 2021, the number was 4,530, remaining nearly unchanged.
🔗 Source: National Fire Agency Statistical Report (2022)
While these reports categorize vehicle fires by type (passenger cars, trucks, special-purpose vehicles, etc.), they do not distinguish between ICE and EV fires—a limitation that should be addressed for better public transparency.
2. Are EVs More Fire-Prone Than ICE Vehicles?
According to a report by the Korea Insurance Research Institute (KIRI):
- EVs have a higher fire and explosion risk than ICE vehicles due to the instability of lithium-ion batteries.
- Battery placement on the vehicle's underside makes it susceptible to damage from speed bumps and rough terrain, potentially leading to thermal runaway.
- Lithium-ion batteries are highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations, overcharging, and electrical faults, increasing the risk of fire.
- EVs contain complex electronic control units (ECUs) and sensors, which make repair costs significantly higher than those of gasoline cars.
🔗 Source: KIRI Report on EV Insurance Risks (July 2021)
Additionally, data from the South Korean National Fire Agency (2017–2021) identified the main causes of EV fires:
✔ Electrical malfunctions (e.g., short circuits, insulation failures)—10 cases
✔ Mechanical failures—4 cases
✔ Chemical reactions (e.g., battery overheating, thermal runaway)—3 cases
These accounted for 38% of all EV fires.
🔗 Source: Sisa Journal (June 2022) – "EVs Catch Fire More Often Than Expected"
3. The Key Difference: EVs Are Not More Fire-Prone, but EV Fires Are More Intense
So, are EVs more likely to catch fire than ICE vehicles?
🔥 Not necessarily.
While EV battery fires are dangerous, overall fire statistics do not indicate a significantly higher fire incidence rate compared to gasoline cars.
According to South Korea’s National Fire Agency (2017–2022):
- Total EV fire cases: 59
- Fire-related fatalities: 0
- Fire-related injuries: 4
Additionally, in 2019, the EV fire rate was 0.02%, nearly identical to the 0.02% fire rate for all vehicles.
However, interpreting these figures requires caution, as:
- EV adoption is still in its early stages (lower sample size).
- EV fire incidents tend to be more intense and harder to extinguish than ICE fires.
🔗 Source: Sisa In (July 2022) – "Understanding EV Fires"
Fire Behavior Differences: EVs vs. ICE Vehicles
A study comparing gasoline and EV fires found:
- Gasoline vehicle fires are most intense in the engine bay and fuel tank, where fuel is stored.
- EV fires originate from the battery pack, leading to thermal runaway, a phenomenon where battery cells ignite in a chain reaction.
🔗 Source: Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation Study (2021)
4. Challenges in Extinguishing EV Fires
🔥 EV battery fires burn longer and are harder to extinguish than gasoline fires.
- Lithium-ion batteries store energy within enclosed cells, making it difficult for water to reach and cool down affected areas.
- Thermal runaway can continue for hours or even reignite after initial suppression.
👨🚒 How Are EV Fires Extinguished?
- Firefighters use specialized fire blankets and high-volume water cooling methods.
- In some cases, EVs are submerged in water tanks to cool battery cells completely.
🔗 Example: South Korean Fire Departments Using Water Tanks for EV Fires
Final Thoughts: Are EVs Fire Hazards?
🚗 No, EVs are not inherently more prone to fires than ICE vehicles, but:
✔ EV fires behave differently, requiring unique suppression strategies.
✔ When an EV fire occurs, it tends to burn more intensely and for longer periods.
Governments and fire departments are actively developing new safety protocols to tackle EV fire risks.
📌 EV Owners’ Tip: If an EV catches fire, inform emergency responders that it’s an EV, so they can bring the right equipment for fire suppression.
🔎 Additional International Insights
- U.S. and German fire statistics also show no significant difference between EV and ICE fire rates.
- A 2021 study by JoonAng Daily found that Tesla’s fire incident rate was significantly lower than that of gasoline cars.
🔗 Source: JoonAng Daily – "Tesla EVs Catch Fire Less Often Than Gasoline Cars"
🚀 As the world transitions to EVs, ensuring safety through better battery technology and fire response strategies will be crucial.
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