Florida residents face alarming dangers as a series of house fires have been traced back to EV batteries exposed to Hurricane Helene’s saltwater floods.
At a Glance
- Numerous fires in Florida linked to saltwater-exposed EV batteries
- Hurricane Helene’s flooding in Tampa Bay area caused destruction
- State officials warn about saltwater compromising lithium-ion batteries
- Florida hosts the second-highest number of registered electric vehicles in the U.S.
The Growing Threat of Thermal Runaway
If you thought range anxiety was a good reason not to buy an electric car, then we have more reasons for you.
Florida is grappling with a serious threat from several house fires, which investigators have linked to the thermal runaway of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. This dangerous condition follows the exposure of EVs to saltwater during Hurricane Helene’s raging floods. Experts and state officials are sounding alarms about the lethal combination of lithium-ion batteries and saltwater, which can lead to combustion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ysn1zqrUX4Q
The Tampa Bay region bore the brunt of Helene’s fury, experiencing significant flooding with peaks between five to eight feet. This led to cars and scooters exploding due to submerged batteries, placing countless homes at risk.
Watch a Tesla catch fire in a garage right here:
https://twitter.com/accuweather/status/1840436441907892692
This doesn’t randomly happen to gas cars that are switched off, does it?
State Warnings and Historical Context
CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis highlighted the dangers of electric vehicles when submerged in floodwaters. Saltwater can compromise EV batteries, creating fires that are intensely difficult to bring under control. Florida saw similar outbreaks of EV fires during previous hurricanes, including Idalia and Ian, spotlighting the recurring nature of this hazard.
“We saw a number of fires associated with EVs from Hurricane Ian,” Patronis stated. “We know that the saltwater from storm surge can compromise these batteries, causing fires which cannot be easily suppressed. The best fire teams can do is keep water on the battery until the fuel burns out.”
The state’s officials have been proactive, issuing warnings to move EVs at least 50 feet away from homes. Despite these measures, the unpredictable element of saltwater interaction with EV batteries remains a persistent challenge. Such fires risk igniting long after an initial flooding event due to residual salt-induced conductivity.
Precautionary Measures for EV Owners
In preparation for Hurricane Helene, Governor Ron DeSantis urged EV owners to relocate their vehicles to higher ground, minimizing potential exposure. Pinellas County has echoed this advice, stressing the urgent need to shift submerged vehicles away from residences to prevent household fires. Daytona Beach Fire Chief Dru Driscoll recommends waiting several days before recharging any exposed EVs to predict potential fire risks.
“Take the vehicle or the device itself more than 50 feet away from the home,” said Driscoll. “And wait several days to see what’s going to happen before charging the vehicle.”
Given Florida’s status as the state with the second-highest number of registered EVs, these safety standards are paramount. Owners are also advised to keep EVs charged before a storm, akin to keeping gas tanks filled, to ensure mobility during power outages.
