Hybrid Fire in the Garage - ever think about it?

[KEMeyer]

For anyone who keeps their hybrid trucklet in the garage, do you ever think it may combust? Once those things start, they’re pretty much going to burn the place down.
Hadn’t given it much thought till I saw an article about how hybrids are more likely to catch fire than both EVs and ICE vehicles.

Just wondering.

I've been parking a hybrid car in my garage for the past 11 years, knowing there is a risk of fire but not being concerned. I am no more concerned about that than I am about dying in a car or plane accident, or a tornado hitting our house, or any of thousands of risks we face with every thing we do.

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[Peter Lukasch]

The Maverick is not a plug in hybrid, so no charging of the battery is taking place while parked, not much chance of a fire, (about the same odds as if it was a normal gas only vehicle). I can't say I've ever heard of a Maverick catching fire while parked. The engine breaching issue and possible engine fire is only on a few trucks, this can only happen if the vehicle engine is in use, not while parked.

 

[Gray Goose]

Useful article for anyone who has lithium batteries.
https://news.clemson.edu/lithium-io...afety-concern-−-heres-how-to-reduce-the-risk/
I had a lithium button cell randomly explode. No damage other than a burn spot where is was sitting and battery fragments launched across the room. Thankfully no one was in the room when it happened. Just heard a pop and smelled burnt electrical. Also had a phone battery swell up. Didn't explode, but I placed it out on a concrete slab far away from anything combustible until I could dispose of it. Local library removed their battery drop container because of a battery that exploded and started a fire. I'm extra careful with the lithium batteries after those incidents.

 

[ryanjo]

When I owned my 2013 C Max, Ford had a recall for lithium battery fires. My wife has a Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid, received the following recall notice in 7/24:

Chrysler has recalled multiple Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) minivans for battery issues that could cause a fire:

• 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV
  This recall affects vehicles that previously received a software update under NHTSA recall number 22V-077.
  
  
• 2019-2021 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV
  This recall affects vehicles built between April 30, 2018, and October 26, 2021.
  

The issue is due to a folded or torn anode tab that can cause an internal short circuit within the battery pack. The fix involves a software update and, if necessary, replacing the battery pack assembly at no cost to the owner.

Owners are advised to:

• Avoid recharging the vehicles
  
  
• Park away from other vehicles and structures until the issue is resolved
  

So she cannot recharge her plug-in hybrid, or park near our house, until the dealer is able to complete the recall, likely not until the end of September.

 

[Bruce W]

For anyone who keeps their hybrid trucklet in the garage, do you ever think it may combust? Once those things start, they’re pretty much going to burn the place down.
Hadn’t given it much thought till I saw an article about how hybrids are more likely to catch fire than both EVs and ICE vehicles.

Just wondering.

Not concerned. As a previous firefighter I have seen a lot of vehicle fires, some in garages. Any electrical short can cause a fire. Wires melt, rubber and oil burns. The fun ones are when the fire burns through the high pressure gas line. Electric fuel pump just keeps dumping fuel on the fire until the battery melts. On a vehicle fire in the garage we usually just drug it outside. By the way, the hybrid battery is under the driver seat. Could get toasty if you are driving when it shorts out.

 

[The Real Maverick]

Because of the HV battery these vehicles are tested more and to a higher standard than traditional vehicles, and they are under higher scrutiny.

I hate to say it, but would you rather fly in a Boeing that has been in the news recently but is under immense scrutiny right now? Or some other plane that is quietly flying "under the radar"?

 

[Gray Goose]

Because of the HV battery these vehicles are tested more and to a higher standard than traditional vehicles, and they are under higher scrutiny.

I hate to say it, but would you rather fly in a Boeing that has been in the news recently but is under immense scrutiny right now? Or some other plane that is quietly flying "under the radar"?

Rather not fly at all. Prefer driving my Maverick.

 

[bronxbill]

I Don't worry about it

 

[CurtisB]

This is not on my worry list.............and my list is very short.

 

[LSchicago]

I posted one here that Went up in flames after the truck was parked for several days about a year ago. It is rare though.

 

[brielee3]

For anyone who keeps their hybrid trucklet in the garage, do you ever think it may combust? Once those things start, they’re pretty much going to burn the place down.
Hadn’t given it much thought till I saw an article about how hybrids are more likely to catch fire than both EVs and ICE vehicles.

Just wondering.

Lot of energy in those batteries

 

[Snox801]

I don’t own a hybrid but I would not worry. If any vehicle ev, ice, or hybrid starts it’s gonna do damage. Used to do a lot of insurance works for car in garage fires as a youth. It happens but so rare I wouldn’t worry.

 

[NC_Pinz]

https://www.autoinsuranceez.com/gas-vs-electric-car-fires/



NTSB


According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), hybrid vehicles have a higher risk of catching fire than gasoline-powered vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs):

• Hybrid vehicles: 3,475 fires per 100,000 vehicles sold
  
  
  
• Gasoline-powered vehicles: 1,530 fires per 100,000 vehicles sold
  
  
  
• EVs: 25 fires per 100,000 vehicles sold

Some causes of vehicle fires include:

• Battery: Battery management and electric drive
  
  
  
• Petrol engines: Defective fuel lines or hot surfaces
  
  
  
• 12-volt on-board electronics: Shorts circuits or defective equipment

If a hybrid car catches fire, firefighters can use a large amount of water to cool the fire and battery. They should also have enough personnel and equipment on hand to monitor the battery's heat and any potential secondary ignition.

You might want to do more research. These statistics have been called into question and the quoted source is not correct.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a40163966/cars-catching-fire-new-york-times-real-statistics/

 

[02Knight]

Mine is parked in a 20' X 20' all metal shed, not concerned though. I have good insurance!

 

[MetalsGeek]

... till I saw an article about how hybrids are more likely to catch fire than both EVs and ICE vehicles.

I totally get why ICE vehicles would be lower risk than hybrids or EVs, but I struggle to understand why an EV would be lower risk than a hybrid. Statistically speaking, I would expect the fire risk to track the number of cells in the battery. The battery in your average Tesla is about 70X the size of the Maverick's, so it's hard to believe it has lower fire risk unless perhaps QA differences are huge. If you can find that article online, I would be interested. I guess we all need fire alarms and automatic sprinkler systems in this brave new world we inhabit.
UPDATE - I see those statistics do not mention the cause of the fire. Cannot conclude anything useful from that. I know 2 people who've had vehicle fires, and both were from fuel leaks caused by poor maintenance.

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