You are in error. Fires do and can happen with EVs.
There have been a couple of publicized fires from
electric vehicles within the last year. Check the
archives. Now granted these fires were from improper
charging, manufacturer wiring, and building wiring of
unattended vehicles, but it still illustrates that
fires can occur with EVs. These fires can be
catastrophic depending on the lack of safety
precautions used and battery chemistry.
In addition, due to the higher voltage and AMPERAGE
required of some vehicles (BTW which is more than
enough to weld steel) a short can be deadly,
especially after a collision, inwhich power components
can become shifted and an uncontrollable fire results.
Will it be as deadly as spilled gas, we hope not.
But it is not unreasonable to imagine a multi car
pile-up with EV and ICE vehicles igniting together
(some spilled fuel igniting from a spark from any
source whether from the EV or something else)
In reaction to EV fires, some EMS and fire services
have been hesitant about proper responses from lack of
knowledge, differing standards for wiring between
homebuilt and production models, and fear of
electrical shock. That's why several EAA
organizations have been doing outreach programs
demonstrating to local safety responders their
vehicles. http://www.seattleeva.org/
There have been a couple of publicized fires from
electric vehicles within the last year. Check the
archives. Now granted these fires were from improper
charging, manufacturer wiring, and building wiring of
unattended vehicles, but it still illustrates that
fires can occur with EVs. These fires can be
catastrophic depending on the lack of safety
precautions used and battery chemistry.
In addition, due to the higher voltage and AMPERAGE
required of some vehicles (BTW which is more than
enough to weld steel) a short can be deadly,
especially after a collision, inwhich power components
can become shifted and an uncontrollable fire results.
Will it be as deadly as spilled gas, we hope not.
But it is not unreasonable to imagine a multi car
pile-up with EV and ICE vehicles igniting together
(some spilled fuel igniting from a spark from any
source whether from the EV or something else)
In reaction to EV fires, some EMS and fire services
have been hesitant about proper responses from lack of
knowledge, differing standards for wiring between
homebuilt and production models, and fear of
electrical shock. That's why several EAA
organizations have been doing outreach programs
demonstrating to local safety responders their
vehicles. http://www.seattleeva.org/
--- JS wrote:
> AS I watched 15 trucks burn, in a tunnel shutting
> down
> California's main North-South highway I could not
> help
> thinking we should publicize EVs would never do
> that.
>
> I am watching the evolution of the golf cart to the
> Neighborhood EV, and people attempting to push the
> speed limits higher I see the college campus as a
> major
> influence as they adopt NEVs. The kids on campus
> are
> being exposed, and some will adopt the NEV while in
> school, but be willing and want to adopt EVs after
> graduation. We should encourage this evolutionary
> path. The next generation should be prepared.
>
> John in Sylmar, CA
> Home of the 15-truck tunnel disaster. Not the first
> tunnel disaster in Sylmar.
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
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