Damaged EVs ‘Quarantined’ Over Fire Fears
Electric cars that sustain minor bumps are being kept 15 meters apart in repair yards over fears they might burst into flames, adding to insurance bills
UK Government guidelines recommend electric vehicles with damaged batteries should be “quarantined” from other vehicles due to the risk of battery fires.
Damaged batteries pose a risk of “thermal runaway” where the energy stored in the battery releases rapidly, creating temperatures of up to 400°C [752°F].
But the practice threatens to increase costs for the insurance industry by more than £600m [$657,360,000], costs which ultimately could be passed onto drivers in increased premiums, according to a report by automotive risk firm Thatcham Research.
It said insurers would need to spend an additional £900m a year on quarantine facilities for damaged [EVs] as a result of the safety measures by 2035, as more battery-powered vehicles take to the roads.
The extra costs risk adding £20 ($22) a year onto all car insurance premiums, rising to £28 ($31) by 2050 when there are expected to be some 360,000 electric cars on the road network.
Just two damaged electric cars can fit into the same space that would otherwise fit 100 petrol or diesel cars, under current the DVLA and Transport Department guidelines.
Source: Thatcham Research
Adrian Watson, of Thatcham Research, said:
“I’ve seen salvage plants with quarantining compounds. Any EV goes straight in there and sits there for a week before they do anything with it.”
The placement of the battery within electric cars can make it more likely that it will be damaged and written off after a minor accident, according to experts who have previously pointed to common “skateboard” designs.
These place batteries underneath the car, leaving them susceptible to damage from minor accidents such as mounting the curb.
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Re: ‘ Damaged batteries pose a risk of “thermal runaway” where the energy stored in the battery releases rapidly, creating temperatures of up to 400°C [752°F].’
And much more than 400°C……
‘The temperature can quickly reach 500°C (932°F), at which point the cell catches fire or it explodes. This thermal runaway that occurs is known as “venting with flame.” “Rapid disassembly” is the preferred term by the battery industry.‘
https://batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-304a-safety-concerns-with-li-ion
‘Temperatures have been known to hit 660c – enough to melt aluminium.’
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9775467/UKs-battery-farms-spark-fears-explosions.html
In battery fire tests on application of water mists the temperature reached around 830°C
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-09784-z
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-09784-z.pdf
‘When battery failure occurs, tremendous thermal energy is released (upwards of 1,000°C) along with toxic fluoride gas and smoke.’
https://batteryfires.com/about-batteryfires/
….”…..think about a projectile going through a lithium ion battery. It’s not a pretty picture.”
https://www.forbes.com/sites/erictegler/2021/06/23/the-army-should-diversify-its-vehicle-fuels-but-not-rely-on-electricity-or-evs-a-dod-sponsored-report-says/
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