Are you thinking of electrifying your fleet? Are you considering the practicalities of complementing, or replacing, your existing vehicles with electric vehicles?
If so, you may have heard certain talk about the risks associated with electric vehicles, particularly when it comes to fires.
In this post we’ll assess the number of electric vehicle and truck fires per year in the UK, and how you might consider these risks as part of your electrification strategy.
Need some advice and support on the risk management and insurance implications of electrifying your fleet? Our friendly team of commercial motor experts are always on hand to help. Call us on 020 8290 9099 or email us at commercial.motor@anthonyjones.com.
How Many Electric Vehicle and Truck Fires Are There in the UK?
One of the most recent studies into the extent of electric vehicle and truck fires in the UK was conducted by CE Safety. They looked at the number of electric vehicle and truck fires in the UK during the fiscal year 2022 to 2023.
From Freedom of Information requests to fire and rescue services across the UK, they found that in 2022-2023 there were 390 EV battery fires in the UK. This represents a considerable rise in the number of EV fires reported across the preceding five years.
London has the most EV fires in the UK, with 219 of the total 390 fires recorded in the capital.
Are Electric Vehicles More Likely to Catch Fire?
According to Honest John, one study found that electric vehicles are 20 times less likely to catch fire than vehicles with internal combustion engines. If lithium-ion batteries are used correctly, they have a one in 40 million chance of failure.
Are Electric Vehicles Dangerous?
Before you rethink your fleet electrification project, consider the following:
- Nearly half of the recorded EV fires in 2022 to 2023 were linked to electric bikes and scooters, and not to electric cars and trucks. Electric bikes and scooters seem particularly at risk of fires, possibly due to the higher probability of the batteries getting scuffed or damaged, or exposed to the elements.
- Honest John has put the figures in context. They have pointed out that less than 1% of all car fires are linked to electric vehicles, and that passenger EV batteries have a 0.0012% chance of catching fire.
- Electric van and truck fires are particularly rare. A previous CE Safety study found that electric HGV fires accounted for just 2.2% of all EV fires in the UK across a five year period. This amounts to just over 10 fires, in total.
- Some EV fires are caused by factors beyond the battery. For example, there was recently a lot of talk about an electric bin lorry fire in London. This raised concerns that electric vehicles may be inherently dangerous. But an investigation found that the fire was caused by a combustible item in the collected waste materials. This implies that the lorry would have caught fire regardless of whether it was an EV.
Managing the Risks of EV Fires in Your Fleet
The data shows that EV fires are a real concern. But though they are a growing risk, this is only as a result of the growing numbers of EVs on our roads. On a vehicle-by-vehicle basis, EV fires seem to be rare. And if you take the steps to manage the risks, a fleet of EVs should not be any more of a liability than a fleet of internal combustion engine vehicles:
- Take care of your EV batteries. Never overcharge them, and take steps to prevent them from overheating. It’s good practice to only ever charge your vehicles outside, where it’s cooler throughout the year, and where fires will have less chance of spreading if they ignite. On warmer days, try not to park your vehicles in direct sunlight.
- If any of your EVs are ever involved in a collision, even if it’s just a minor scuff, get a service as soon as possible. A trained mechanic can check the battery for any signs of damage, which could make fires more likely.
- If you ever see white smoke emerging from an EV, turn off the engine immediately. Take care not to inhale any of this smoke, as it’ll likely be highly toxic fumes as opposed to steam.
- Keep appropriate fire extinguishers within easy reach of wherever you charge your EVs. CO2 or ABC powder extinguishers are apparently most suited for treating EV fires.
Further Support For Your Electric Fleet
We have a number of guides on our site to support your fleet electrification strategy, and to help you manage the risks:
- How to reduce the risk of lithium battery fires in the workplace.
- How to electrify your fleet – EV adoption strategy.
- EV charger installation strategy for electric fleets.
If you need some advice and support on the risk management and insurance implications of electrifying your fleet, our friendly team of commercial motor experts are always on hand to help. Call us on 020 8290 9099 or email us at commercial.motor@anthonyjones.com.
