In September 2022, Hurricane Ian devastated the US state of Florida, causing serious consequences for people and the environment. In addition to the obvious damage caused by flooding and storm surges, attention was also focused on a less obvious danger: the fire risks associated with electric vehicles damaged by salt water. A report by ABC News discussed the challenges such vehicles pose to emergency services, towing services and storage operators.
In this article, we shed light on these risks, present solutions and show how innovative products such as the VLITEX Car Service Set can help improve safety when dealing with damaged electric vehicles.
Table of contents
How do fire risks arise from damaged electric cars?
The challenge of salt water
ABC News reported on vehicles stored in the parking lots of a Florida towing company after flooding. Some of the electric cars that had been damaged by the floods caught fire in the days following the hurricane. Salt water, which has a corrosive effect on the batteries and can trigger chemical reactions, is particularly problematic. This increases the likelihood of thermal events such as fires or explosions.
High demand for extinguishing water
Another problem highlighted by fire chiefs is the enormous amount of water required to fight electric vehicle fires. While a conventional vehicle can be extinguished with around 2,500 liters, electric cars require up to 30,000 liters of water to completely cool the battery. This poses a logistical challenge for emergency services, especially in densely populated or hard-to-reach areas.
Re-ignition of the batteries
A specific risk with damaged electric cars is the possibility of re-ignition. Even after a fire has supposedly been extinguished, it can reignite hours or days later. This is due to chemical processes in the battery cells that are triggered by physical damage or corrosion.
Solutions for safe storage and transportation
Distance regulations and storage areas
In order to minimize the risk of flames jumping over the vehicle, damaged electric vehicles in the USA are often stored at least 15 meters away. This may be practicable in a country with large storage areas, but in urban areas or Europe this solution is often not realistic.
Innovative protective measures: VLITEX Car Service Set
An efficient alternative for securing damaged electric vehicles is the VLITEX Car Service Set. This set consists of silicone-coated fiberglass blankets that can completely enclose a burning vehicle. The fire blankets are extremely temperature-resistant and prevent flames or smoke from spreading to the surrounding area. This protects both other vehicles and surrounding buildings and significantly reduces the potential damage.
Are electric cars more dangerous than conventional vehicles?
A frequently discussed topic is whether electric cars are fundamentally more dangerous than conventional vehicles. Experts agree: electric cars are not more dangerous, but they do require a different approach. The differences lie in the special properties of lithium-ion batteries, which pose specific risks if damaged.
Training and preparation of the emergency services
The safe handling of electric vehicles requires special training for firefighters, towing services and workshop personnel. Only through regular training can risks be minimized and effective measures taken.
Security through prevention
The ABC News report shows that damaged electric cars pose particular challenges, especially after natural disasters such as hurricanes. Risks can be effectively minimized with suitable protective measures such as the VLITEX Car Service Set, clear distance regulations, seamless temperature monitoring, for example with the VLITEX Temperature Tracker, and intensive training of emergency personnel. It is crucial that storage facility operators and emergency services adapt to the special features of electric vehicles in order to ensure safe handling.
