Electric Vehicles "ticking timebomb"

Phossy

Came across this whilst trying to catch up on Hurricane Milton. The premise is quite simple, EV's and water don't mix (it also extends to other Lithium batteries). I'd not thought about it before, though it seems to be a real issue when EV's are caught in floods. Florida fire marshal calls electric vehicles "ticking time bombs" as Hurricane Milton nears - CBS News

TadleyBaggie

No idea what the article says, site doesn't like ad blockers. Water can easily brick ICE cars too.

MattMattMattUK

It is one of those things, it "could" be an issue, in the same way that lots of other things could be issues. However EV batteries are sealed, watertight units. Without crash damage EV batteries are designed to withstand full submersion even if the car would not survive that in a working state. Submerge an EV or ICE and in most cases they will be non-functional afterwards. 

DullGreyGuy

TadleyBaggie said:

No idea what the article says, site doesn't like ad blockers. Water can easily brick ICE cars too.

The article doesn't give any explanation how submersion can cause a fire in EVs but just references that two other EVs did combust in a previous sea based flooding. 

A quick google shows various US articles stating that salt water is a conductor and so can cause a short circuit in the EV's large batteries causing heat causing fire. Most of the more reputable publications point out it's an outside risk but still say its ultimately prudent to avoid submersion if possible. 

FlorayG

I' not sure that the battery catching fire is going to be much of an issue if the whole car is under water?

daveyjp

FlorayG said:

I' not sure that the battery catching fire is going to be much of an issue if the whole car is under water?

It may no longer be underwater when it does catch fire.

Belenus

daveyjp said:

FlorayG said:

I' not sure that the battery catching fire is going to be much of an issue if the whole car is under water?

It may no longer be underwater when it does catch fire.

A fire will help to dry the car.

LHW99

They use these batteries on outboard motors now, so they shouldn't be too sensitive to water.

forgotmyname

MattMattMattUK said:

It is one of those things, it "could" be an issue, in the same way that lots of other things could be issues. However EV batteries are sealed, watertight units. Without crash damage EV batteries are designed to withstand full submersion even if the car would not survive that in a working state. Submerge an EV or ICE and in most cases they will be non-functional afterwards. 

I don't quite agree with the batteries being watertight. They have cables and grommets so more water resistant than waterproof/watertight. Driving through heavy
rain should be fine and even submerged briefly driving through a deep puddle/ford. But submerge the battery for a period of time and water will enter.

Tavarish's P1 is an example, battery 'sealed' but sea water did get in and caused corrosion to the point where he put it outside his unit just in case. It's didn't
burst into flames but treated with extreme caution.