2023-06-13 04:07:03
Whatever happens, sooner or later all drivers will switch to the electric car battery operated. As with everything, there are benefits and disadvantages to this new technology. If cleanliness over the overall life cycle of the vehicle, quiet operation or performance are the main advantages of electric cars, autonomy, charging speed and (for now anyway) the purchase price On the other hand, there are still disadvantages and therefore major obstacles.
Future owners, however, have a another fear : l’fire of the electric car. For what ? Probably because of many pictures have already been shared on this subject on the Toile and that this is always the case when such an event occurs. It doesn’t take more to feed thecollective imagination and make believe that this type of incident is frequent, even very frequent.
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Sensitive to fires?
So we often hear that a electric car East more sensitive (and prone) to fires than thermal cars, this observation being further fueled by violent images, which is obviously explained by the fact that the batteries lithium-ion are very energy dense which amplifies the power, but also lengthens the burn time. THE firefighters must moreover see shapes to these new types of fires.
As regards the thermal carsTHE causes of fire are numerous. In the majority of cases, the feu occurs after a accident of the road while the manufacturing defects and the bad repairs come in second and third place on the list. Among the causes, we must therefore mention fuel leaks, faulty electrical systems, engine overheating or even a catalyst problem where temperatures reach 600°C.
In the case of electric carsTHE causes are different. It may be a deterioration of the wiring or the battery. These are clearly the two most sensitive elements. Often, fire breaks out in the battery following a manufacturing defect, a phenomenon amplified by high temperatures or electrical overload. In these cases, it is not even the manufacturers who are responsiblebut the cell suppliers. The fact is that the lights are so powerful when an electric car is burning that it is often difficult to determine the origin.
Spectacular fires
Where he said it: the fires of electric cars are particularly virulent due to the battery burning strong and long. It’s a real cause for concern for the fire men who spend a lot of time putting out these fires. To be effective, these should dip the vehicle in a water container pendant 24 hours to put out the fire, as the flames can rekindle quickly. Tesla had even produced a small guide for firefighters, indicating that it is generally necessary between 11,350 liters and 30,300 liters of water to extinguish the fire of an electric car in order to avoid thethermal runaway effect.
In the USA, the American agency responsible for investigating transport accidents (NTSB) oblige electric car manufacturers to publish a specific guidebut at the latest news only 8 out of 22 manufacturers have complied.
No more flammable than thermals
Do electric cars burn more than thermal ones? We obviously still have little perspective, electric cars being rather recent vehicles. That said, organizations like the insurer AutoinsuranceEZ where the American NTSB already have aggregated data and the results are amazing: spontaneous fires are mostly caused by cars… hybrids ! There were indeed 3,457 fires of hybrid cars for 100,000 vehicles, against 1,529 of thermal cars and… 25 of electric ones (relative value).
In general, manufacturers that detect defaults on their electric cars proceed without waiting to a reminder. This is what we have seen with the Hyundai Kona (82,000 copies) as well as with the Chevrolet Bolt EV (or Opel Ampera with us) who have encountered problems. In our regions, the insurer AXA indicates that there is no more risk of fire for an electric car than for a thermal one. Good to know.
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