electric car catches fire Page 8815

Electric cars catching fire is the sort of headline that sets your teeth on edge, but before you start imagining your shiny EV going up like a bonfire on Guy Fawkes night, let’s get some facts straight. Electric car fires are rare, often caused by battery damage or manufacturing defects rather than regular use. The lithium-ion batteries can ignite if severely damaged, but modern EVs come with extensive safety measures to minimise risks.

Common issues include:

• Battery thermal runaway due to physical damage or defects
• Charging equipment faults leading to electrical faults
• Manufacturing recalls addressing specific fire risks

For peace of mind, always buy from reputable sources like Tradingpost or CarShowroom, and keep up with recalls and servicing via ServiceCentral. Fires are dramatic but statistically, EVs are no more likely to burn than petrol cars, if not less.