Probability of an Electric Vehicle Catching Fire

Electric vehicle fires have received disproportionate media attention relative to their actual frequency. According to data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics and NHTSA, the fire rate for electric vehicles is approximately 25 per 100,000 vehicles, compared to about 1,530 per 100,000 for gasoline vehicles and 3,475 per 100,000 for hybrid vehicles. This means gasoline cars are about 60 times more likely to catch fire than EVs.

EV battery fires, when they do occur, present unique challenges. Lithium-ion battery fires can be difficult to extinguish (sometimes requiring 3,000-8,000 gallons of water compared to about 300 gallons for a typical car fire), can re-ignite hours or days later (thermal runaway), and produce toxic fumes. However, the lower overall fire rate means the total fire risk from EVs is substantially lower than from gasoline vehicles.

Battery safety has improved significantly with advances in battery management systems, thermal management, structural protection, and cell chemistry. Most EV fires result from high-speed collisions, manufacturing defects (often addressed through recalls), or external heat exposure during other fires. Proper charging (using manufacturer-recommended equipment, not overcharging, and avoiding extreme temperatures) further reduces the already low fire risk.