Are EVs Safe to Drive; Why EVs Catch Fire
You’ve probably seen viral videos of electric vehicles catching fire — especially electric scooters. Every time one surfaces, it sparks the same question:
Are EVs really safe to drive?
My short answer? Yes, they are.
But the concern is understandable. Fire incidents look dramatic. And when something new like electric mobility is involved, fear spreads quickly. Let’s break this down logically and calmly.
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EV Fire Incidents That Shaped Public Perception
A recent video involving the Mahindra BE6 created buzz after the vehicle caught fire on a busy highway. The company clarified that the incident was not battery-related, and reports later suggested the fire occurred because the car was driven for an extended time with a completely deflated rear tyre.
This is important: that kind of situation could happen in any vehicle, whether electric or petrol.
However, earlier cases did involve battery concerns. In 2022, an Ola S1 Pro caught fire in Pune, prompting Ola Electric to recall 1,441 scooters. Around the same time, Pure EV recalled about 2,000 electric scooters following similar incidents.
Naturally, these events raised questions about battery safety standards in India at the time.
Why Do EVs Catch Fire?
To understand EV safety, you need to understand the battery.
An EV battery pack contains hundreds or even thousands of lithium-ion cells. These cells store and release energy. Usually, they function flawlessly. But in rare cases, a single cell can fail.
What Causes a Cell to Fail?
Common reasons include:
- Battery Management System (BMS) malfunction
- Internal short circuit
- Manufacturing defects
- Faulty or improper charging
- Physical damage to the battery pack
- Poor thermal management
When one cell overheats, it can trigger a chain reaction known as thermal runaway.
What Is Thermal Runaway?
Thermal runaway happens when:
- One cell overheats.
- Heat spreads to neighboring cells.
- Those cells overheat and ignite.
- The reaction continues across the battery pack.
This is why EV fires, though rare, appear intense. Once thermal runaway begins, it becomes difficult to stop without aggressive cooling.
That said, it’s crucial to note:
EV fires are statistically uncommon. In fact, globally, internal combustion engine vehicles experience fire incidents too — often due to fuel leaks, engine overheating, or electrical faults.
The difference is perception. Petrol fires feel familiar. Battery fires feel new — and therefore scarier.
Can You Put Out an EV Fire?
Yes, you can. But the approach is different.
Because lithium-ion battery fires are chemically self-sustaining, traditional fire extinguishers like CO₂, foam, or blankets may not work effectively.
The most effective solution?
Water — and a lot of it.
Firefighters use water primarily to cool the battery pack and stop thermal runaway from spreading. In some cases, specialized cooling agents may also be used.
One important detail:
Even after extinguishing the fire, reignition is possible, which is why monitoring continues for hours afterward.
How India Strengthened EV Safety Regulations
The turning point came after the 2022 incidents.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways directed investigations by the Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Their findings highlighted:
- Use of low-grade battery materials
- Weak battery thermal management systems
- Poor BMS design
- Inadequate testing and certification processes
- Lack of proper ventilation
- Instead of dismissing the issue, the government tightened regulations.
By 2024, India had significantly upgraded EV battery safety standards through:
- Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
- Automotive Industry Standards (AIS)
- Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI)
What Changed Under the New Rules?
Manufacturers must now pass:
- Thermal Propagation Tests (ensuring one failed cell does not ignite others)
- BMS validation tests
- Free-fall tests
- Fire exposure tests
- Vibration and mechanical shock tests
- Overcharge protection tests
Only after clearing these rigorous evaluations can a battery pack receive certification.
In my view, this regulatory push was necessary. The early EV boom exposed weak links, and instead of slowing adoption, India strengthened the ecosystem. That’s how industries mature.
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Are EVs Safer Today?
Yes — significantly safer than they were during the early growth phase.
- Battery chemistry has improved.
- Thermal management systems are more robust.
- Certification processes are stricter.
- Manufacturers are more accountable.
No vehicle technology is 100% risk-free. Petrol cars catch fire. Diesel vehicles catch fire. Even parked cars can ignite due to wiring faults.
What matters is risk reduction. And today, EVs in India operate under far stronger safety oversight than before.
If someone asks me whether I’d drive an EV without hesitation — I would. As long as it meets updated certification standards and comes from a compliant manufacturer.
Electric mobility is still evolving. Early challenges were real — but so were the corrective actions. Today’s EV ecosystem in India is far more robust, regulated, and safety-focused than it was just a few years ago.
FAQs About EV Fire Safety
Q. Are electric vehicles more likely to catch fire than petrol cars?
- No. Available data globally suggests that EV fire incidents are not more frequent than petrol vehicle fires. However, EV fires may appear more intense due to thermal runaway.
Q. What is thermal runaway in EV batteries?
- Thermal runaway is a chain reaction where one overheated lithium-ion cell spreads heat to adjacent cells, causing a cascading fire within the battery pack.
Q. Can EV fires be extinguished easily?
- They can be extinguished, but they require large amounts of water for cooling. Traditional CO₂ extinguishers are often ineffective.
Q. What caused EV fires in India in 2022?
- Investigations by CFEES under DRDO found issues such as low-grade battery materials, weak BMS systems, and insufficient safety testing.
Q. What safety standards are EV batteries required to meet in India now?
- EV batteries must pass stricter certification tests set by BIS, AIS, and ARAI, including thermal propagation tests, fire resistance tests, vibration tests, and BMS validation.
Q. Should EV buyers still be concerned?
- Caution is healthy. Panic is not necessary. If you choose a certified vehicle that complies with updated Indian safety norms, the risk is minimal.
