When an electric vehicle catches fire, it makes the news. That can leave the impression that electric cars and vans are more likely to burn than petrol and diesel ones. The evidence doesn’t say that. What it does say is that a battery fire behaves differently, and that’s worth understanding if you’re thinking about an electric van.
Are EVs more likely to catch fire?
No, on the evidence so far. The US National Fire Protection Association says there is no current evidence that electric vehicles are more likely to be involved in a fire than petrol or diesel vehicles, and that EV fires are fewer, as Fairfax County Government reports.
Part of the reason EV fires feel more common is simply that they’re newer, so they get more coverage when they happen.
Why battery fires are different
The difference is in putting them out, not in how often they start:
- The battery is built to be protected from the elements, which also makes it hard for firefighters to reach.
- Batteries take a long time to cool, so there’s a risk of the fire starting again after it seems to be out. That’s why a burnt-out EV has to be handled and stored differently afterwards.
- The battery chemistry itself makes a fire harder to extinguish than a fuel fire.
Should this put you off an electric van?
For most businesses, no. The sensible precautions are the ones you’d take with any expensive piece of equipment:
- Charge with the manufacturer’s equipment and a charge point fitted by a qualified installer.
- Have any damage underneath the van, especially after a knock or a kerb strike, checked by a dealer for that make.
- Keep the van serviced on the manufacturer’s schedule.
If you’re weighing up an electric fridge van, the questions that matter more day to day are range with a full load, where you’ll charge, and whether the van sits loaded overnight. Our buying guide to electric fridge vans covers them, and five reasons to switch covers the upside.
We have the electric Mercedes eSprinter in stock as a chiller and a freezer. See our electric fridge vans, or call us on 01444 245555.
