What Causes EV Battery Fires While Parked

[Mrs_Grimshaw]

I’ve been reading about incidents where EVs, like the Chevy Bolt EV and some Teslas, reportedly caught fire while parked, not running or even plugged in. It’s concerning but also seems like it’s a pretty rare occurrence.

I know GM had to replace all the Bolt EV batteries for 2017–2019 due to a manufacturing defect, and Tesla has had a few cases pop up too. The overall percentage of EVs affected by this issue seems incredibly small.

Does anyone know about what causes these fires? Is it manufacturing defects? For those who’ve owned EVs for a while, has this ever made you reconsider your choice, or do you feel confident in the tech?

 

[Tridentlord]

In these situations, the catalyst is frequently a manufacturing flaw. For example, in GM's Bolt EV battery recall, infrequent internal short circuits were triggered by flaws in the electrode or separator. Generally speaking, intense heat, even from the sun cannot ignite cells unless it exacerbates an already-existing problem. Once initiated, thermal runaway can rapidly worsen, but the overall risk is still low. Many EV owners have not been discouraged by such accidents because they believe that the rare hazards are outweighed by the advancements in safety technology.

 

[Hotwheels]

It’s mainly linked to battery defects or rare issues like thermal runaway. While incidents are concerning, they’re still rare. Most EV owners feel confident in the technology, especially with ongoing safety improvements.