Probably not. The best available evidence does not show that battery-electric vehicles catch fire more often than gasoline cars. Some data suggest EVs may catch fire less often, but there is no single, comprehensive U.S. dataset that compares the two powertrains using the same vehicle age, mileage exposure, fire definition, and reporting method.
The important distinction is this: EV fires appear to be less frequent, but a fire involving the high-voltage battery can be more complicated to control and monitor. Thermal runaway, high-voltage shock, stranded energy, toxic or flammable gases, delayed reignition, and difficult access to the battery cells create response challenges that are different from those of a gasoline-car fire.
The short answer: frequency and response difficulty are different questions
If the question is whether an EV is more likely to catch fire during ordinary ownership, the most defensible answer is no—not according to the evidence currently available. But it would be misleading to turn that conclusion into a precise universal claim such as EVs are exactly two, five, or ten times less likely to burn.
Researchers do not yet have a perfectly harmonized U.S. comparison that controls for all of the variables that matter:
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →#1 Best Overall
- Efficient Fire Control: Our fiberglass fire blanket rapidly cuts off oxygen and withstands extreme heat up to 2012°F (1100°C)—the same high-risk fire performance as silicone-coated versions. Ideal for EV battery fires, gasoline leaks, and other emergencies where traditional extinguishers fall short
- Must-Have Car Safety Essential: Compact enough to fit in your trunk yet expansive (4m × 6m / 13ft × 19.7ft) to fully cover a small car. A critical addition to any emergency car kit. Comes with a sturdy storage bag for quick access
- Cost-Effective & Lightweight Alternative: Without the silicone coating, this blanket offers a more affordable option while maintaining excellent heat resistance and tear strength. Slightly lighter than coated versions for easier handling. Note: Fiberglass fibers may cause skin irritation—gloves are recommended during use
- Versatile Fire Protection: Effective across multiple scenarios: car engines, EV batteries, parking lots, workshops, and industrial environments. A reliable solution for protecting vehicles and large valuable equipment from fire
- Single-Use or Limited Reuse: Designed for 1–2 uses. High-temperature exposure may cause darkening, stiffening, or burn holes—once damaged, the blanket should be replaced. For repeated use and longer service life, consider our double-sided silicone-coated version
- fires per vehicle, vehicle-year, or vehicle mile;
- vehicle age and accumulated mileage;
- vehicle type, size, and use;
- crash frequency and severity;
- geography, weather, and wildfire exposure;
- charging and fueling behavior;
- whether the fire began in the propulsion system or somewhere else; and
- whether the incident was accidental, caused by a collision, deliberate, or caused by an external fire.
Those limitations matter because EVs are a younger fleet, while the gasoline fleet contains many older vehicles and far more cars overall. A raw count of incidents, or a rate calculated only from vehicles sold, can therefore produce a distorted result.
The fairest summary is: EVs do not appear to be more fire-prone than gasoline cars, and may be less fire-prone, but EV battery fires can impose a greater operational burden once they begin.
What the strongest available data actually show
NIST’s 2026 analysis: useful estimates, not a final EV-versus-gas rate
The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Technical Note 2365, published in March 2026, estimated 1,761 battery-electric-vehicle fires in the United States over the study period. NIST gave a 95% confidence interval of 1,047 to 2,849 fires. It also estimated 3,535 fires for plug-in vehicles, a category that includes battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, with a 95% confidence interval of 2,187 to 5,751. [c001][c002]
These figures are important because they are an attempt to quantify EV and plug-in fires from more than one source, including the National Fire Incident Reporting System and Tesla-reported data. But they are estimated incident counts, not a definitive rate comparison against gasoline vehicles. NIST describes the underlying data as fragmented and incomplete.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
A confidence interval in this context does not mean that there is a 95% chance a particular EV will catch fire. It describes uncertainty around the estimate produced from incomplete data and the assumptions used to account for unreported or incorrectly identified incidents.
NIST also identifies problems with vehicle identification in NFIRS. VIN information is incomplete, and electric or plug-in vehicles may not be identified at the same rate as conventional vehicles. The estimates depend on assumptions about reporting and capture rates. That is why the NIST numbers should be used to show the scale and uncertainty of the problem—not to produce a simplistic statement that one powertrain is a precise multiple safer than another. [c002][c003]
| Evidence | What it tells us | What it does not prove |
|---|---|---|
| NIST estimated 1,761 BEV fires, with a 1,047–2,849 95% confidence interval | There is a serious effort to estimate EV fire frequency from fragmented U.S. data | The exact per-vehicle or per-mile EV fire rate compared with gasoline cars |
| NIST estimated 3,535 fires for plug-in vehicles, including BEVs and plug-in hybrids | Plug-in incidents can be quantified separately from some broader vehicle-fire data | That all hybrids or all electrified vehicles have the same risk |
| NFIRS and other reporting systems contain incomplete vehicle identification | Database-based comparisons have meaningful uncertainty | That a viral table with a clean-looking ratio is necessarily reliable |
Tesla’s mileage comparison: informative, but manufacturer-supplied
Tesla reports that from 2012 through 2023, approximately one Tesla vehicle fire occurred per 135 million vehicle miles traveled. Tesla compares that with an NFPA and U.S. Department of Transportation estimate of approximately one vehicle fire per 19 million miles for all vehicles. [c006]
At face value, that comparison suggests a much lower fire frequency for Tesla vehicles. It should nevertheless be treated as supplementary evidence rather than a neutral national benchmark.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →First, the Tesla figure is supplied by the manufacturer and applies to Tesla vehicles, not every EV brand. Second, Tesla says its count includes fires caused by structure fires, wildfires, arson, and other causes. The comparison dataset excludes some structure-involved fires. The two figures therefore do not necessarily use the same fire definition or capture the same types of incidents.
Rank #2
- Fast – isolates fire in seconds – Once the car spontaneously combusts, quickly unfold the car fire blanket and cover the car to isolate the oxygen, prevent the fire from further spreading and reduce the damage.
- Effective – extinguishes fire in minutes – It is worth noting that the car fire blanket is only suitable for the initial stage of the fire, before the fire has not spread, the use of car fire blanket to quickly extinguish the fire.
- Simple – can be used by anyone – Automotive fire blankets are quick and easy to use and two adults can do the job, while other firefighting equipment requires more specialized firefighters to use.
- Eco-friendly – no toxic fumes or liquids – There are thousands of car fires around the world every single day. Most of them are extinguished using foam or water. But these methods throw toxic fumes into the air and drain hazardous substances in the groundwater. FLASLD Car Fire Blankets don’t. They isolate smoke immediately without spreading toxic fumes or substances – making them safer for people and the environment.
- Universal – even works on electric cars – Ideal for spaces with a high concentration of cars, such as parking garages, road tunnels, car ferries and car repair shops.Suitable for professional firefighters and other organizations that may have to deal with multiple fires. Blocks and isolate fire in electric vehicles.
The mileage denominator is still more informative than a simple count of fires per vehicle sold, because it accounts for how much the vehicles are actually driven. But it does not eliminate differences in fleet age, vehicle type, geography, reporting practices, or the way fires were classified.
Sweden provides a useful international cross-check
Sweden’s Civil Contingencies Agency reported 40 fires in cars powered wholly or partly by electricity during 2024. Sweden had approximately 900,000 electric or hybrid cars and 4.1 million fossil-fuel cars. More than 3,100 passenger cars of all fuel types burned during the year. [c007]
As a rough arithmetic exercise, 40 fires among 900,000 electric or hybrid cars is about 4.4 fires per 100,000 vehicles. Dividing more than 3,100 fires among roughly 5 million cars gives more than 62 fires per 100,000 vehicles. That makes the electrified group look substantially less fire-prone in this snapshot.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
However, those numbers are not a controlled comparison. The electrified figure combines fully electric vehicles and hybrids, while the all-vehicle total includes the electrified group and may include deliberate vehicle fires and other causes. The denominators also do not account for mileage, vehicle age, or the precise number of cars exposed during the period. Sweden is therefore a helpful international cross-check, not a direct answer for U.S. drivers.
Why viral EV fire comparisons often go wrong
Raw counts are not risk rates
A country with many more gasoline cars will naturally record more gasoline-car fires even if an individual gasoline car has a lower risk. Conversely, a small number of EV fires can appear disproportionately important when the EV fleet is much smaller or when each incident receives extensive coverage.
A meaningful comparison must disclose its denominator. Possible denominators include:
- Fires per vehicle: easy to calculate, but highly sensitive to fleet age and how many miles each vehicle travels.
- Fires per vehicle-year: better for comparing exposure over time, provided the vehicle population is accurately known.
- Fires per vehicle mile: useful when reliable mileage data exist, but still affected by vehicle type, geography, and reporting differences.
- Fires per crash: answers a narrower question about post-collision ignition and cannot be substituted for ordinary-use fire risk.
A table that says EVs had 25 fires and gasoline cars had 1,500 fires has not established that gasoline cars are more dangerous. It has only reported two raw totals unless it also explains the populations, exposure, fire definitions, and period behind them.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFleet age changes the comparison
Gasoline cars have been on American roads for more than a century and include a large number of older vehicles. Older wiring, degraded components, fuel-system problems, mechanical failures, poor maintenance, and accumulated collision damage can all affect fire exposure.
EVs, by comparison, are a newer and smaller share of the fleet. A young fleet can have a different failure profile from an older fleet even when the underlying design is safe. Comparing annual fires without controlling for vehicle age can therefore overstate or understate the difference between powertrains. NIST’s discussion of incomplete identification and reporting makes this limitation especially important. [c002][c003]
Rank #3
- Efficient Fire Control: Our double-sided silicone-coated fiberglass fire blanket rapidly cuts off oxygen and isolates extreme heat up to 2012°F (1100°C)—2X higher than standard fiberglass blankets. Suitable for high-risk fires (EV batteries, gasoline leaks) where traditional extinguishers may fall short
- Must-Have Car Safety Essential: Compact yet expansive (4m x 6m / 13ft × 19.7ft), this car emergency fire blanket fits in your trunk but unfolds to fully cover small cars. A critical addition to emergency kits—because it’s better to be prepared. Includes a sturdy storage bag for quick access
- Genuine Materials & Gentle on Skin: Unlike uncoated fiberglass (itchy, fragile), our liquid silicone layer eliminates loose fibers, making it itch-free and resistant to tears and water. Double-sided silicone coating combined with fiberglass cloth forms a robust three-layer construction for exceptional durability. Weighing nearly 19kg / 42 pounds, it provides effective oxygen and fire isolation
- Versatile Fire Protection: Effective across multiple scenarios including car engines, EV batteries, parking facilities, workshops, and industrial environments. This vehicle fire blanket is one reliable solution for diverse fire risks, suitable for all types of vehicles and large valuable equipment to help protect your property
- Long-Term Performance: When stored at normal temperatures and away from direct sunlight, this emergency blanket for car can maintain its quality for 8–10 years without affecting usability. The car fire blanket remains functional as long as the temperature at the flame’s core does not exceed 800°C. At most, it may become soot-stained or discolored, and can still be reused
The fire may not have started in the powertrain
Not every fire involving an EV began in its battery, just as not every gasoline-car fire began in the fuel system. A vehicle can burn because of a collision, an electrical fault, overheated equipment, an external structure or wildland fire, arson, or another heat source.
That distinction matters when someone uses a vehicle-fire total to make a claim about battery safety. A gasoline car parked beside a burning building and an EV whose battery cells entered thermal runaway are both vehicle fires, but they represent different ignition pathways and different response problems.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallHow EV and gasoline-car fire risks differ
| Question | Battery-electric vehicle | Gasoline vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Common propulsion-related concern | Damage or failure within a high-voltage lithium-ion battery system, including thermal runaway | Fuel leaks or vapor, hot engine and exhaust components, electrical faults, and mechanical failures |
| Collision-related concern | Crash damage can create immediate or delayed battery heating and reignition risk | Fuel-system damage can release flammable liquid or vapor and create rapid ignition risk |
| Electrical hazard | High-voltage shock and stranded electrical energy may remain after the vehicle is disabled | Conventional 12-volt electrical hazards remain, but there is no comparable traction-battery system |
| Firefighting challenge | Battery enclosure can limit water access to cells; thermal runaway may continue or recur | Fuel and engine fires can spread rapidly, but established vehicle-fire tactics generally apply |
| Post-fire concern | Reignition, hidden battery damage, hazardous gases, and transport or storage precautions | Hot spots, fuel vapors, damaged wiring, and ordinary wreck-recovery hazards |
This table describes different hazards, not a claim that one type of car is universally more dangerous. Fire frequency, fire severity, and emergency-response burden are separate measurements.
Why an EV battery fire can be harder to manage
Thermal runaway and stranded energy
The National Transportation Safety Board identifies several hazards that are distinctive or especially important in high-voltage EV battery fires: thermal runaway, high-voltage electrical shock, stranded energy, and battery reignition. In thermal runaway, damaged or overheated cells can release heat that propagates to neighboring cells, potentially producing a continuing fire and large quantities of gas.
In its review of four U.S. high-voltage lithium-ion battery fires during a one-year period, the NTSB found that three crash-damaged batteries reignited after firefighters had extinguished the vehicle fires. That finding demonstrates why post-fire monitoring and recovery procedures matter. It does not mean that every EV fire reignites or that reignition is inevitable. [c004]
Stranded energy is another concern. Even after a crash or apparent shutdown, the battery can retain substantial electrical energy. A vehicle that looks disabled is not automatically electrically inert, which is why responders use model-specific procedures rather than treating every EV as if it were the same.
Water access and duration
U.S. Fire Administration EV fire-rescue guidance explains that a passenger-compartment fire that does not involve the high-voltage battery can generally be handled with standard vehicle-fire tactics. The situation is different when the battery itself is involved.
The battery enclosure can make it difficult to deliver water directly to cells undergoing thermal runaway. Depending on the vehicle and the incident, guidance discusses high-volume and long-duration water supplies, manufacturer-specific emergency-response guides, and—under some manufacturers’ recommendations—possible total immersion. There is no single universally accepted, evidence-based tactic that applies to every EV model and every battery-fire scenario. [c005]
This is why headlines saying that every EV fire requires total immersion are also misleading. Immersion may be recommended or considered in particular circumstances, but it is not a universal instruction for motorists and should not be improvised.
Rank #4
- Efficient Fire Control: Our double-sided silicone-coated fiberglass fire blanket rapidly cuts off oxygen and isolates extreme heat up to 2012°F (1100°C)—2X higher than standard fiberglass blankets. Suitable for high-risk fires (EV batteries, gasoline leaks) where traditional extinguishers may fall short
- Must-Have Car Safety Essential: Compact yet expansive (6m x 9m / 19.7ft × 29.5ft), this car emergency fire blanket fits in your trunk but unfolds to fully cover vehicles. A critical addition to emergency kits—because it’s better to be prepared. Includes a sturdy storage bag for quick access
- Genuine Materials & Gentle on Skin: Unlike uncoated fiberglass (itchy, fragile), our liquid silicone layer eliminates loose fibers, making it itch-free and resistant to tears and water. Double-sided silicone coating combined with fiberglass cloth forms a robust three-layer construction for exceptional durability. Weighing nearly 35kg / 77 pounds, it provides effective oxygen and fire isolation
- Versatile Fire Protection: Effective across multiple scenarios including car engines, EV batteries, parking facilities, workshops, and industrial environments. This vehicle fire blanket is one reliable solution for diverse fire risks, suitable for all types of vehicles and large valuable equipment to help protect your property
- Long-Term Performance: When stored at normal temperatures and away from direct sunlight, this emergency blanket for car can maintain its quality for 8–10 years without affecting usability. The car fire blanket remains functional as long as the temperature at the flame’s core does not exceed 800°C. At most, it may become soot-stained or discolored, and can still be reused
Gases and enclosed spaces
A battery undergoing thermal runaway can release hydrogen and other toxic or flammable gases. In an enclosed location such as a garage, those gases may accumulate and create additional fire, explosion, and inhalation hazards. The setting can therefore affect the response even when the vehicle itself is stationary. [c005]
These challenges explain the apparent contradiction in EV safety reporting: an EV can be less likely to catch fire while still requiring more specialized handling after a battery fire begins.
Gasoline vehicles still have substantial fire risk
Gasoline cars are not a safe baseline simply because their fire behavior is more familiar. They carry a large quantity of flammable liquid and can develop flammable vapor. Possible ignition sources include fuel-system leaks, hot engine or exhaust components, electrical faults, collisions, mechanical failures, and external fires.
The U.S. Fire Administration, citing the National Fire Protection Association, estimates that 211,500 vehicle fires occurred in the United States in 2024. Reported causes included unintentional fires, equipment or heat-source failures, intentional fires, exposures, and fires with undetermined causes. The estimate covers vehicle fires broadly and does not provide a clean EV-versus-gasoline breakdown. [c008]
That number is a reminder that conventional vehicle fires remain a common safety problem. Gasoline-car fires can spread quickly, injure occupants, ignite nearby vehicles or structures, and expose responders to fuel vapors and other hazards. The evidence-based comparison is not gas fires are harmless versus EV fires are dangerous. It is that the two powertrains have different ignition pathways and different response requirements.
What drivers should do if an EV or hybrid is smoking or burning
- Get out immediately if there is smoke, fire, unusual heat, or a serious crash. Do not stay in the vehicle to retrieve belongings.
- Move away from the vehicle and from smoke and heat. Do not stand next to, underneath, or inside an enclosed area with a burning or heavily damaged vehicle.
- Call emergency services. Tell the dispatcher that the vehicle is battery-electric, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid if you know that information.
- Tell responders the make, model, and location of the high-voltage battery if known. A vehicle badge, registration information, or the owner’s manual may help, but do not approach the vehicle to find details if doing so is unsafe.
- Do not attempt to fight a suspected high-voltage battery fire. Do not cut orange high-voltage cables, open the battery enclosure, move the vehicle, or assume that the absence of visible flames means the danger has ended.
Emergency tactics should follow trained fire-service procedures and the specific vehicle’s emergency-response guide. NHTSA maintains vehicle-specific guides for battery-electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fuel-cell vehicles. These guides are intended to help responders understand hazards such as high-voltage components, battery location, disabling procedures, and recovery considerations. [c009][c010]
For ordinary drivers, the correct response is evacuation and notification—not trying to select the right extinguishing technique. A household extinguisher is not a substitute for emergency response to a suspected traction-battery fire.
What this means for EV buyers and owners
Do not use fire frequency alone as the whole safety verdict
For a buyer, the available evidence does not justify avoiding an EV on the assumption that it is more likely to burn than a gasoline car. It also does not justify claiming that an EV can never catch fire. A sensible safety assessment should consider crash protection, battery-management design, recall history, charging equipment and installation, maintenance, emergency procedures, and the vehicle’s specific safety record.
Charging should be performed with equipment and installation practices appropriate for the vehicle and local electrical requirements. Damaged batteries, especially after a severe crash, should be assessed by qualified professionals rather than returned to service based only on an absence of visible damage.
Best Value
- 【EV & VEHICLE FIRE CONTAINMENT】 Designed to help isolate electric vehicle (EV), hybrid, and gasoline vehicle fires by covering the affected vehicle and helping reduce flame spread, heat exposure, smoke, and secondary damage to nearby property.
- 【HEAVY-DUTY SILICONE-COATED FIBERGLASS】 Built with durable fiberglass fabric and a protective silicone coating for high-temperature performance, tear resistance, and demanding emergency use. Suitable for professional vehicle fire containment applications.
- 【20 FT × 24 FT FULL VEHICLE COVERAGE】 The oversized fire blanket provides extensive coverage for most sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, and light commercial vehicles, creating an effective barrier around the burning vehicle.
- 【FAST EMERGENCY DEPLOYMENT】 The flexible large-format design allows trained personnel to quickly position the blanket over a vehicle during emergency situations. Includes convenient storage for rapid access when needed.
- 【DESIGNED FOR COMMERCIAL SAFETY APPLICATIONS】 Ideal for EV charging stations, parking garages, automotive dealerships, repair facilities, warehouses, airports, marine terminals, industrial sites, and emergency response teams.
Know whether your vehicle is an EV, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid
Responders need to know whether a vehicle has a high-voltage battery. A conventional hybrid also contains high-voltage components, even though it may not be charged from an external outlet. A plug-in hybrid combines an engine and a rechargeable traction battery. These categories are often grouped differently in fire statistics, so a claim about plug-in vehicles should not automatically be applied to every hybrid or to gasoline-only cars.
Understand the difference between probability and consequence
Statistics about how often fires occur answer one question. They do not answer how severe a particular fire will be, how difficult it will be to extinguish, whether it will reignite, or how much damage it will cause.
For EVs, the available evidence supports a cautious two-part conclusion:
Recommended Free Tools
- Probability: EVs do not appear to catch fire more often than gasoline cars, and may catch fire less often, although the exact difference remains uncertain.
- Consequence and response: A battery fire can involve high voltage, thermal runaway, hazardous gases, delayed ignition, and difficult access to the cells, making it more demanding for responders.
Claims that the evidence does not support
- EVs catch fire more often than gas cars. The best available evidence does not establish this.
- EVs are fireproof. Battery-electric vehicles can and do catch fire, especially in circumstances involving severe damage or battery failure.
- EV fires always require total immersion. Response depends on the vehicle, battery, fire condition, access, and trained fire-service procedures.
- One manufacturer’s report proves the national EV rate. Tesla’s mileage comparison is useful context but is manufacturer-supplied and not methodologically identical to the comparison dataset.
- Raw fires per 100,000 vehicles settle the question. Without matching vehicle age, miles, fire definitions, fleet composition, and reporting practices, the result may be misleading.
- A vehicle that has stopped burning is automatically safe. Battery damage can leave high-voltage energy and a risk of delayed or repeated ignition.
Bottom line on EV fires versus gasoline fires
The headline claim that EVs catch fire more often than gasoline cars is not supported by the strongest available evidence. NIST’s estimates, Tesla’s mileage data, and Sweden’s 2024 figures all point away from EVs being more fire-prone, but none supplies a perfect, apples-to-apples U.S. ratio.
The more accurate safety comparison is not simply which vehicle catches fire more often. It is:
- EVs probably do not ignite more frequently than gasoline cars.
- Gasoline cars continue to account for a large number of vehicle fires.
- EV battery fires can be more difficult to control, monitor, transport, and store after the initial flames are out.
- Drivers should evacuate, call emergency services, identify the vehicle as electric or hybrid, and leave battery-fire tactics to trained responders.
That is a less dramatic conclusion than a viral fire-rate table, but it is the one most consistent with the evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are EVs safer from fire than gasoline cars?
The available evidence suggests that EVs are not more likely to catch fire and may be less likely to do so. However, the exact difference is uncertain because U.S. datasets do not consistently match vehicle age, mileage, fire definitions, and reporting methods. EV battery fires can still be more difficult to manage once they begin.
Can an EV battery fire reignite after it is extinguished?
Yes. The NTSB documented reignition in three of four crash-damaged high-voltage lithium-ion battery fires in one review. That does not mean every EV fire reignites, but it explains why trained responders may monitor and handle a damaged EV differently after visible flames are gone.
What should I do if my electric car catches fire?
Exit the vehicle, move away from smoke and heat, call emergency services, and tell responders that the vehicle is electric, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid. Do not attempt to fight a suspected high-voltage battery fire, cut high-voltage cables, open the battery enclosure, or move the vehicle.
Do all EV fires require the vehicle to be submerged in water?
No. Some manufacturers may recommend or discuss total immersion in particular circumstances, but there is no universal tactic for every EV model and fire. Response decisions belong to trained fire-service and recovery personnel using the vehicle-specific emergency-response guide.
Are gasoline cars still a significant fire risk?
Yes. The U.S. Fire Administration, citing the National Fire Protection Association, estimated 211,500 vehicle fires in the United States during 2024. Gasoline vehicles have many potential ignition sources, including fuel leaks, hot engine and exhaust components, electrical faults, collisions, and mechanical failures.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: EVs do not appear to catch fire more often than gasoline cars, but the exact margin is not known. When an EV battery fire does occur, thermal runaway, high voltage, hazardous gases, difficult cell access, and reignition can make the incident more demanding for responders. Drivers should evacuate and call emergency services rather than attempt DIY firefighting.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
