Risk of Fire during Accidents with Hybrid?

[marpolsdofer]

I know a guy on a volunteer fire department in another town tell me they fear election more.
Don't know if it changed now but according to him back when he was each car ran the wires different. They went cut open a car; the operator and the other helper got shocked to the ER. Now they have a tech for each manufacturer on speed dial and keep linemen gear just in case.
Don't know if any of it was true or not but sounds plausible.

I have several friends in my home town who are volunteer firefighters. Asked them and they was told this could be a issue with more EV out there. They had yet to respond to any hybrid or full EV calls.

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[Whitenight]

Yes, Volt and Bolt are different cars. LG sold GM defective batteries for the BOLT. That is a fact.

Yeah, I made a typo and didn't proofread it before I hit the Post button. The V and the B are right next to each other on my keyboard. Corrected original post. Opps.

 

[LeersMav]

Been a hybrid owner since 2015 and have absolutely no issues.

Accidents in themselves can be catastrophic regardless of what type of vehicle (gas, EV, Hybrid, plugin, etc). ...... With various accident posts on MTC, it looks like the driver came out fine and NO fires were reported (at least with the hybrid ones).

Not sure why you bring this up since the battery in the Mav is smaller than a Prius and is situated in the center of the truck in the center seats (well, just to the right). The fuel cell is located just below the front of the bed. So Ford was thinking about crash safety.

So curious .... What's your point? (or just making conversation?)

 

[TedTX]

That the battery is a few inches from gas tank not too concerned one over the other both burn badly.

 

[Jatrax]

Is there an increased risk of fire with hybrids during accidents?

I seriously doubt there is any significant statistical difference for hybrids during accidents. Full on EV's might be different I don't know, but the battery in a hybrid is tiny.

That said a hybrid (or EV) presents additional issues for first responders. Lithium fires are difficult and require different methods to put out. And the risk of electrocution is higher because of the high voltage batteries. I think this is more a training issue than anything else and will resolve itself as local fire departments get more experience with EV's and hybrids. Having a standard location safety shut off required in EV's would be a really good start.

Spontaneous battery fires such as the Chevy Bolt and some others are a different issue. When a vehicle catches fire in an accident, OK that is not totally unexpected whether its gas, hybrid or EV. But when a vehicle ignites just sitting in your garage? That's a problem. Big problem.

It's funny to me that so many people seem to have a fear of EV's or indeed electricity alone. Yet we think nothing of driving around in vehicles with a literal bomb underneath. According to an article by Purdue university 1 gallon (that's ONE gallon) of gasoline has the same explosive energy as 83 sticks of dynamite.

 

[GPSMan]

That the battery is a few inches from gas tank not too concerned one over the other both burn badly.

So do wood homes. So do Christmas Trees. Especially Christmas trees. Yet Millions of people VOLUNTARILY put Christmas trees in their homes. Shocking. Truly shocking.

WHATEVER you do DO NOT put a Christmas tree in a hybrid. There is a 99% chance of sudden death.

 

[NewBernWolf]

Well, Chevrolet Bolt's just burst into flames on their own for no reason.

Indeed. Like 3 of them. Then they ended up being recalled, as vehicles do. Still not sure what the point is here.

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