Hurricane Helen didn’t do wonders for the reputation of battery-powered electric vehicles, however Many drivers can avoid major problems and avoid salt water. Flooding caused by sea level rise drowned out cars of all kinds, burning and powering them. Above average fire incidents in the latterIt also advised consumers to remove their cars from danger areas and if they were submerged, partially or completely Keep them away from homes and other vehicles when not in use.
Fresh water that can invade your house and garage in times of flooding from rain, mud in the passenger compartment and entering the boot causes significant damage to combustion cars, and a small 12V battery can lead to a short circuit, damaging some components of the electrical system. In 100% electric vehicles with a 12V battery, the problem is more serious due to the large traction battery that drives the engine. But as it is linked, the fact remains that there are not many recorded fire incidents due to freshwater flooding. However, after Hurricane Sandy in 2012, this North American authorities are beginning to notice an increase in fires resulting from contact of electric cars with seawater, which was confirmed by the recent Helen.
Fresh water is a good conductor, but salt water is much more so. Presence of salt and high amount of inorganic ions make it 50 to 100 times more conductive, Even after the battery runs dryMoisture due to salt that may have gotten inside the sealed case that protects the battery It will continue to do its damage.
We all remember videos posted on social media of Tesla drivers driving their vehicles through large puddles, sometimes with water surging over the bonnet and even onto the roof. Now, if this is not recommended with fresh water, This is definitely something to avoid in seawater.
Automotive batteries are made up of a collection of small cells, each with a positive and negative pole, that are then connected together. Moisture with high salt content can cause a short circuitThis causes the cell to heat up and, under certain conditions, can trigger a callus Heat flowThat is, A A fire occurs when the cell overheatsThis then spreads to the rest of the cells and the entire vehicle.
North American authorities are taking note of the fact that there is danger when an electric car is submerged in salt water. Although, This is a relative risk To be determined by numbers. Hurricane Ian flooded 3,000 to 5,000 electric vehicles — plug-in hybrids have the same problem and even hybrids are not immune from concern — including 600 declared total losses due to exterior and interior damage. Because of the power of water. But Only 36 caught fire, or 1% of the total.
The University of Idaho, along with North American authorities, conducted a study to determine how water interacts with the cells inside. Pack Battery, so Solutions are expected to be found to eliminate (or reduce) the risks. The research included the Tesla Model X, S, Y and 3, as well as the Porsche Cayenne and Lucid Air, and none of them presented fire hazards, according to the investigation. However, the authors point out that even after the battery is drained, there is a risk.