Lithium battery car fires

Are lithium-ion battery fires a real thing?

Lithium-ion battery fires can be intense and frightening. As someone who used to repair second-hand smartphones, I’ve extinguished my fair share of flaming iPhones with punctured lithium-ion batteries. And the type of smartphone battery in your pocket right now, is similar to what’s inside of electric vehicles.

Can electric vehicles reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires?

Avoiding overcharging is one way to reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires. Urban transportation is undergoing a transformative shift toward electrification. As concerns grow in cities around the world about climate change and air quality, electric vehicles have taken center stage.

Are lithium-ion batteries a fire hazard?

Follow manufacturers recommendations for your specific vehicle. Kate Gibson is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch in New York, where she covers business and consumer finance. The storm surge from the approaching hurricane poses a fire hazard for vehicles with lithium-ion batteries.

How many fires are caused by lithium-ion batteries?

Since at least 2019, fire departments in the two cities say they've responded to at least 669 incidents combined. Last year, there were more than 200 fires blamed on lithium-ion batteries in New York City. Since 2019 the city recorded 326 injuries related to these types of fires, while San Francisco recorded 7 in the same time period.

Can a lithium ion battery stop a car fire?

"Lithium-ion batteries generate their own heat and oxygen," said Klock. To stop the fire requires putting water on the battery case to cool it. Most EV batteries are underneath the vehicle, so pouring water on top of the car or in the engine compartment is not helpful, he said.

Are lithium-ion batteries causing a fire in New York City?

Lithium-ion batteries, found in many popular consumer products, are under scrutiny again following a massive fire this week in New York City thought to be caused by the battery that powered an electric scooter. At least seven people have been injured in a five-alarm fire in the Bronx which required the attention of 200 firefighters.