Debunking Electric Vehicle safety myths

Myth #1: EVs are more prone to fires

While any vehicle can catch fire, EVs are not inherently more prone to fires than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.

The main concern is about EV batteries catching fire, where the lithium-ion high voltage battery of a passenger EV is involved in a fire.

EVs undergo rigorous safety testing and are equipped with features like thermal management systems and robust battery enclosures to mitigate fire risks.

Related: The evolution of EV battery enclosures

Australian firm EV FireSafe tracks passenger electric vehicle battery fires worldwide.

From 2010 to June 2023, FireSafe’s database shows only 393 verified EV fires globally, out of some 30 million electric vehicles on the road.

Download: FireSafe | Global Passenger EV fire incidents (242KB, PDF)

In fact, statistics show that EVs actually have a lower fire risk compared to traditional vehicles. See: FireSafe’s EV fire FAQs.

Australia recorded only four Electric Vehicle fires over the same period, but none were related to battery fire.

This is further supported by the Australian Building Codes Board’s advisory note on EV charging:

  The global experience of EVs to date indicates they have a lower likelihood of being involved in a fire than internal combustion engines, but the characteristics of battery fires are different to liquid fuel fires.  

Myth #2: The grids won’t cope with an uptake of EVs

While it's true that increased EV adoption places extra demand on existing power grids, there are changes being made in the advancement of grid infrastructure, smart charging technologies, and renewable energy integration, to support additional energy needs for EVs.

Smart grid solutions allow for optimised charging schedules, ensuring that EV charging coincides with periods of low electricity demand or high renewable energy generation.

Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology also enables EVs to serve as grid storage resources, balancing fluctuations and enhancing overall grid stability.

Although EV uptake is accelerating, it won’t happen overnight. There’s time to future-proof our infrastructure to suit increases in energy demand.

Other nations with much greater EV uptake are already experimenting with scheduled EV charging to help cushion impacts to their electrical grids. Which means we can benefit from their learnings, as our EV market grows.

Myth #3: EVs are unsafe in crashes

Contrary to popular belief, EVs often perform better than conventional vehicles in crash tests.

The absence of a heavy internal combustion engine in the front of the vehicle allows for better distribution of impact forces, thereby reducing the risk of injury to occupants.

Additionally, many EV models come equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) that further enhance safety on the road. This includes:

• Pedestrian detection/avoidance
• Lane departure warning/correction
• Traffic sign recognition
• Automatic emergency braking
• Blind spot detection

Myth #4: Electric shocks from EVs are common

The possibility of an electric shock from an EV is not any greater than getting one from a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle.

Modern EV charging stations adhere to stringent safety standards, and EV manufacturers provide comprehensive training and guidelines for safe charging practices.

As long as consumers follow recommended procedures and use certified equipment, the risk of electric shocks is minimal.

Myth #5: EV batteries can’t be recycled

While recycling lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries found in EVs is an underutilised practice, claims it cannot be done are simply false.

There’s a number of Australian-owned companies that are recycling and repurposing precious metals in EV batteries.

  EV makers have placed a strong emphasis on optimising battery design to extend lifespan and reduce raw materials consumption, as well as carefully considering end of-life management.  EV Battery Reuse and Recycling

Other companies are rebirthing decommissioned EVs battery packs for re-use as battery energy storage systems.

Myth #6: You can’t tow with an EV

The claim that EVs can’t tow is false, with many models in the Australian market listing Aussie regulation-compliant tow capacities.

A huge reduction in driving range while towing is the main issue cited by EV skeptics.

So, can EVs tow? Yes they can, and given the impressive torque figures many EVs boast, they’re very well suited in the right applications.

However, just because an EV can tow does not make it a viable towing vehicle for all owners and circumstances.

Need to tow a caravan across the Nullarbor? An EV probably isn’t for you (yet), but pulling a box trailer or dinghy across town? That’s right up an EV’s alley.

Related: Can electric cars tow caravans?

Fact vs fiction!

It's time to get clear on the truth about Electric Vehicle safety. EV technology is evolving rapidly, so even if some of these “myths” were true in the early days, they’re no longer accurate.

By challenging common misconceptions and embracing the advantages of EV technology, together we can pave the way for a more sustainable future.

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