Do electric cars have a higher likelihood of catching fire than gasoline or diesel cars?

No (here are some facts). ☺️

Fires caused by a vehicle, regardless of the type, can be spectacular and dangerous. In the case of electric vehicles, the main risk is the pressurized release of flammable gases, which can create directional flames or explode (if they accumulate without a prior flame appearing).

The numbers vary according to different sources, but with the same conclusion:

✅ According to a study by the Swedish Emergency Agency in 2022, it is estimated that electric cars generate 18 times fewer fires than combustion cars (3,8 fires per 100 000 electric vehicles compared to 68 fires per 100 000 combustion vehicles).

✅ According to Australia's EV Fire Safe, with a study between 2010 and 2020: 1 fire per 1000 combustion vehicles (0,1 %), compared to 1 per 83 000 electric vehicles (0,0012 %).

✅ In Norway, where more electric cars are proportionally sold than anywhere else in the world, it is estimated that combustion cars generate five times more fires than electric cars.

✅ According to Tesla, the risk of fire is 5 times lower for their electric cars (matching the figure from Norway), measured in distance traveled by each type of vehicle until a fire occurs.

Although these studies mostly represent batteries based on other technologies, today, manufacturers like BYD and Tesla are already beginning to integrate batteries based on LFP (lithium iron phosphate) technology, which do not require rare metals like cobalt and also have greater chemical stability. In fact, these batteries can withstand punctures and perforations in their cells without catching fire.