Gas Cars Pose Far Greater Fire Risk Than Electric Vehicles

Despite the common perception that electric vehicles (EVs) are a bigger fire hazard, federal recalls and traffic statistics reveal a stark contrast. Gasoline-powered carsare responsible for 3837.17 times more fires than their electric counterparts.

Why this matters: This significant disparity in fire risk has crucial implications for public safety and the environment, as it highlights the need for a shift towards cleaner and safer transportation options. As the world transitions to electric vehicles, understanding the true fire risk can inform policy decisions and encourage the adoption of EVs.

This significant disparity in fire risk is often overlooked in favor of sensationalized reports of EV fires, which are relatively rare. The data suggests that gasoline, being highly flammable, is the primary culprit behind the majority of car fires.

Scott Cooney, founder of CleanTechnica, notes, "Well, I'll take well-contained batteries over tanks of gasoline any day." This statement highlights the inherent safety advantage of EVs over traditional gas-powered vehicles.

The misconception about EV fire risks can be attributed to the significant PR efforts of those with a vested interest in the continued use of gasoline. Cooney suggests that these groups are eager to exaggerate the imperfections of EVs to maintain the status quo.

In reality, the data paints a clear picture: gas cars pose a much greater fire risk than EVs. This crucial informationis often overlooked in favor of more sensationalized headlines.

The U.S. government has recently loosened some rules governing electric vehicle tax credits, potentially making more EVs eligible for credits of up to $7,500. These credits range from $3,750 to $7,500 for new EVs and $4,000 for used ones. However, to qualify for the credits, EVs must be assembled in North America and meet requirements related to battery makeup and minerals that get tougher each year.

Despite these incentives, sales of electric vehicles grew only 3.3% to nearly 270,000 from January through March of 2024, far below the 47% growth last year. The EV share of total U.S. sales fell to 7.15% in the first quarter. Currently, only 13 out of 114 EV models sold in the U.S. qualify for the full $7,500 credit.

As the transition to electric vehicles continues, it is important to address misconceptions and present data-driven facts about their safety and benefits. The significantly lower fire risk of EVs compared to gas cars is a compelling reason to embrace this shift towards cleaner, safertransportation.

Key Takeaways

• Gasoline-powered cars are 3837.17 times more likely to catch fire than electric vehicles.
• EVs have a significantly lower fire risk due to well-contained batteries vs. flammable gasoline.
• Misconceptions about EV fire risks are fueled by PR efforts to maintain gasoline use.
• US government has loosened rules for electric vehicle tax credits, making more EVs eligible.
• Only 13 out of 114 EV models sold in the US qualify for the full $7,500 tax credit.