Hybrid Cars Light On Fire More Than Electric And Gas-Powered Cars Combined

[peniole]

Now there's a topic that's sure to light a few flames (tongue in cheek).

https://jalopnik.com/hybrid-cars-light-on-fire-more-than-electric-and-gas-po-1848454698 the aticle

https://www.autoinsuranceez.com/gas-vs-electric-car-fires/ the study

Notice the table of recalled hybrids in the second link, chrysler followed by the ultimate driving machines BMW et al. Handling that truly sets your pants on fire 😉

[Linas.P]

It would be interesting to know the age of the cars as well. Not sure the difference between BEV and Hybrids, but I am sure most of ICE cars on fire will be 10+ years old.

[Cotswold Pete]

Have a mate who is a fireman, he tells me that when EVs catch fire they have to either let them burn out or lift them into skip and fill the skip up (I cannot recall whether he said water [dodgy IMHO] or earth).

Did not get into a discussion about age of cars he deals with -  Liverpool area, but I think newer models the batteries are better at not catching fire, but I assume once a EV or hybrid is on fire lots of toxic gunk floating in the air

[Linas.P]

That is only the case if they don't have specialised foam for electrical fires. And I assume most of fire departments don't. Basically they need specialised chemicals and tools to put out those fires. I don't think it is so much to do with toxicity (even thought is is defiantly toxic), but simply because if you apply water on burning EV, the Battery short even further and burn even more fiercely. Electrical fires of any sorts (not necessary car related) are difficult ones to put out. 

[ColinBarber]

It's not really a surprise. Toyota has taken 2 decades to steadily develop their hybrid system and were very careful to introduce Lithium Ion batteries. Whereas BMW and other manufacturers have suddenly jumped on them because of falling diesel sales where they have shoehorned them into existing platforms and instantly starting using cheap Lithium Ion batteries without proper testing/cooling/charging control.

[Linas.P]

I don't think there is anything to suggest it is BMW hybrids that are catching fire here. I am not saying they are not, but let's not jump to the conclusion without seeing the breakdown of what cars and how old cars were causing those fires.

[peniole]

2 hours ago, ColinBarber said:

It's not really a surprise. Toyota has taken 2 decades to steadily develop their hybrid system and were very careful to introduce Lithium Ion batteries. Whereas BMW and other manufacturers have suddenly jumped on them because of falling diesel sales where they have shoehorned them into existing platforms and instantly starting using cheap Lithium Ion batteries without proper testing/cooling/charging control.

Thank you, that's exactly it.

 

1 hour ago, Linas.P said:

I don't think there is anything to suggest it is BMW hybrids

Actually the recall table would suggest otherwise with 7 models recalled. Not huge numbers, 4500 in the US, but hybrid sales in the US, except for Toyota/Lexus, are minuscule. Especially for BMW.

[peniole]

To put numbers to that, it was reported that they sold about 306k cars in the US for 2020. They are also claiming 7.9% of worldwide sales ware electrified. No US specific numbers sadly, and we all know how much Americans like fuel efficiency with low gas prices. Let's say same as the rest of the world, so just about 24k vehicles, and that 24k includes full EVs. They recalled 4500 of at best 24k cars. That is an appalling percentage.

number refs

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210105005995/en/BMW-of-North-America-Reports-Q4-2020-and-Full-Year-2020-U.S.-Sales-Results.

https://www.bmwblog.com/2020/06/25/bmw-sales-electrified-vehicles/