As millions in the Southeast were hit by Hurricane Helene over the weekend, many faced an unexpected risk if they had an electric vehicle parked in their garage.
After making landfall on Thursday, Helene brought destruction up the eastern seaboard, causing flooding, landslides, mudslides, heavy rains and winds. Helene started along Florida’s northern coastline, then primarily traveled through central Georgia, then hitting western areas of the Carolinas as well as eastern Tennessee.
While much of the devastation was centralized in the Appalachian region, residents along Florida’s coast who drive EVs faced additional risks from flooding saltwater.
Over the weekend, a shocking video was released showing an EV that appeared to be a Tesla catching fire in the garage of a home located in Pinellas County, just west of Tampa.
Water could be seen pooling the entire floor of the garage as an explosion occurred underneath the vehicle. Flames began to stretch up and around the vehicle as smoke filled the room. After just mere seconds, the vehicle itself could barely be seen through the smoke with just the bright orange flames breaking through.
The family later revealed that the flames completely engulfed their home, causing it to collapse only minutes after the fire began.
County officials shared the video on Facebook, warning residents to not charge, drive, or store their EV or electric bikes in their homes or garages.
Instead, they urged motorists to move their vehicles around 50 feet away from other combustible materials.
Why does this happen?
EVs are able to catch fire during a flood due to the lithium-ion batteries used to power the vehicle. The National Transportation Safety Board has revealed that this occurs when batteries short-circuit and begin to spread heat across different parts of the battery.
Tom Barth, chief of the specifical investigations branch for NTSB’s office of highway safety, told the Associated Press that this can cause a chain reaction.
“If the salt water is able to bridge the gap between the positive and negative terminals of battery, then it can cause a short circuit,” he said.
Often car manufacturers will build the batteries to prevent such a reaction by installing separations and insulation barriers or ways to keep moisture out.
However, they can run into risks when the batteries are submerged in standing water, Barth said. “That’s where it starts to overcome the moisture seals in the battery.”
Even after floods have receded, these batteries can catch fire due to conductive salt being left behind.
Is this new?
The risk of EV battery fires during floods and severe storms is nothing new.
Two years ago, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed that the first instances of these kinds of fires occurred after Hurricane Sandy hit Newark, New Jersey, in October 2012.
In Florida alone, the state has regularly seen EV-related fires amid severe storms. In 2022, there were approximately 21 EV fires following Hurricane Ian. Another two were reported after Hurricane Idalia last year, according to the Herald-Tribune.
Ahead of Helene, EV drivers were even warned of the risk as Jimmy Patronis, the chief financial officer of the state, urged motorists to move their vehicles to higher ground.
“The saltwater compromises those batteries and poses fire risks,” he said, according to local outlet WJXT4.
The push for EVs
Luckily, no injuries were reported connected to the Florida EV fire brought on by Helene. However, it remains a concern for EV drivers.
Several Republican lawmakers have pointed out that concerns of battery fires should be considered amid the Biden administration’s push for increasing the fleet of EVs on U.S. roads. Many in the party have accused the administration of forcing an “EV mandate” on Americans as the Environmental Protection Agency has issued controversial rules regarding tailpipe emissions for passenger and commercial vehicles.
“While it’s an incredibly unfortunate situation, people should be aware of the danger posed by saltwater contacting lithium-ion batteries in cars, scooters, bikes, and more,” Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) told the Washington Examiner. “But this strikes at the heart of mandates pushed by the Biden-Harris administration: If people have hesitations about purchasing and owning EVs, whether from a safety or financial standpoint, they shouldn’t be forced to buy one.”
Latta said, “I’m a firm believer in consumer choice; the federal government should not be involved in telling the American people what kind of vehicle they should drive.”
Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX) said that while EVs may work for some people, including his own family, they are “unrealistic” for many.
“Nonetheless, this administration has continued to push EVs relentlessly all while knowing the threat lithium-battery fires are,” Fallon said in a statement.
Similarly, House Energy and Commerce Committee member Jeff Duncan (R-SC) said that while he believes EVs are “groovy,” consumers should still have personal choice when it comes to driving one. He pointed to concerns about the effects of severe weather on EVs, such as losing range in extreme cold temperatures.
“Harsh weather exposes the shortcomings of electric vehicles,” Duncan told the Washington Examiner. “Limited government interference will allow consumer-driven market evolution as manufacturers will rise to meet market demands.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Just weeks ago, the House Republicans, along with eight Democrats, successfully approved a joint resolution to do away with the controversial tailpipe emission standards. However, the bill is unlikely to be taken up in the Democratic-led Senate, as President Joe Biden has indicated he will veto the resolution if it comes to his desk.
The Biden administration did not respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment on the matter.