wanted_to_upvote t1_iuew29c wrote on October 30, 2022 at 8:17 PM

Reply to comment by [deleted] in Electric vehicles catch aflame during Ian aftermath by sacrificezones

I think those percentages are under all conditions. In flood conditions the batteries are far more likely to catch fire than an internal combustion engine. I am a big fan of EV's and own one but this is a serious issue that needs to be addressed going forward.

bascule t1_iufwku0 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 12:37 AM

Hurricane Ian destroyed 300,000 cars.

Of those 300,000, 6 were EVs that caught fire. That’s 0.003% of the total damaged cars.

Some non-EVs caught fire too, since waterlogged lead acid batteries will do that. But nobody’s reporting on that… wonder why?

The 6 EVs that caught fire received nearly nonstop news coverage and moral panic, with Republicans jumping on the issue.

While I think it’s a bit disappointing that half a dozen EVs caught fire, given the circumstances it does not seem like a large number, and the response from the media and Republicans ludicrously disproportionate.

What’s the term for that? Oh right, FUD

CollegeStation17155 t1_iuheq9l wrote on October 31, 2022 at 10:53 AM

But what fraction of the 300,000 vehicles were EVs… if only 3000 of the destroyed vehicles were EVs, that 6 becomes a lot more significant, no? And also that number includes only the ones that caught fire immediately. The ones that seemed fine may still “bolt” months later if there is undetected corrosion. I saw that there was a recall recently when some company found their battery pack hadn’t been properly sealed and could get wet from rain.

wanted_to_upvote t1_iug1dis wrote on October 31, 2022 at 1:14 AM

They can be made to not catch fire when submerged in salt water. 6 is too many.

bascule t1_iug526l wrote on October 31, 2022 at 1:43 AM

Case in point right here. Your post is a great example of moral panic: trying to make something sound like it’s a big deal while providing no justification for your concerns.

wanted_to_upvote t1_iug6i28 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 1:54 AM

It is not 6 out 300,000. It is 6 out of how many EV's were submerged for some period of time. That failure rate is much higher than 6 out of 300,000 since the 300,000 number is all vehicles damaged in any way.

bascule t1_iug6xom wrote on October 31, 2022 at 1:58 AM

Why is 6 cars too many? And why do you only care about the EVs? Hell, why do you care at all?

You’ve justified nothing. Still moral panic.