Fire risk higher in ICE cars
The odds of an electric vehicle (EV) catching fire are lower than for internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, according to a new study in Sweden.
Figures from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) show about 3,400 cars caught fire in Sweden in 2022, including intentionally set fires.
Of those incidents, only 23 involved EVs or plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). This means about 0.04 per cent of Sweden’s EVs and PHEVs caught fire last year, compared to about 0.08 per cent for cars powered by petrol or diesel.
Ulf Bergholm, from the MSB, says the number of fires in electric cars has risen from eight in 2018, the first year such data was collected, to about 20 per year in the past three years.
However, the number of passenger EVs in the country has almost doubled in those three years to about 611,000 and there are almost 4.4 million cars in the fleet powered by other fuels, reports the Riedia website.
“If we look at the number of fires per car and compare it to fuel, there are still more passenger cars powered by fossil fuels that burn than those powered by lithium-ion batteries in whole or in part,” explains Bergholm.
While some people believe a burning electric car is more dangerous than an ICE one, Bergholm notes it is primarily the smoke that is dangerous, regardless of the fuel.
