As if the tragic loss of life and extraordinary damage isn’t enough, now officials warn that electric vehicles submerged in saltwater may burst into flames.
In a post on social media platform X, the county government in the Tampa Bay area said electric vehicles submerged in saltwater can erupt in flames. It asked residents who left such cars, SUVs, and golf carts behind to check in with the county information center.
Dire warning
“If you evacuated and left an electric vehicle or golf cart in your garage or under a building and you are not able to get to it or move it, we want you to let us know,” the county government said.
Officials in Tampa Bay are warning electric vehicle (EV) owners about the fire risks posed by submerged vehicles. Lithium-ion batteries in EVs can corrode when exposed to saltwater, potentially causing short circuits and fires.
Most alarming is that these fires can erupt even weeks after exposure. Residents are urged to contact their county of residence if they left an EV behind.
Hot, difficult fire
Fire officials report that EV battery fires are much more difficult to extinguish than other vehicle fires. While gas-powered vehicle fires burn at approximately 1500 degrees, EV battery fires can burn close to 5000 degrees!
Minimize risk
To minimize these risks in the future, EV owners are urged to:
- Relocate vehicles to higher ground before storms.
- Avoid starting submerged vehicles.
- Consult professionals for inspection and potential battery replacement should the vehicle become submerged.
Ongoing effects
Submerged EVs may not be operable due to internal damage. In particular, saltwater can cause irreversible harm to both the electrical and mechanical systems.
It is essential to check with a licensed technician to assess whether the vehicle is safe to use or if it requires extensive repairs.
Do you own an EV? Tell us in the comments below.
##RVT1177b
The next 60 minutes story I think. But what do I know.
We solved a problem by creating another problem. We humans are getting too good at that.
They’re getting gasoline to the cars and heavy equipment down there, but electrics are dead until they can get the power back on. That could be weeks. The push to power cars and especially heavy equipment with batteries, is foolish. We should demand all other countries to at least meet the air quality standards America has first. Even if we were all driving electrics in America, that can’t stop the global warming problems alone. A lot of technology needs to change before you see me buying an Energizer power car.
Thank you for the warning, Gail! 🙂 No,don’t have any EVs, but neither did any of our vehicles get flooded. Thanks again and have a great week! 🙂
I saw a video yesterday showing a battery powered car bursting into flames in a garage as water built up. More proof that these battery powered vehicles are not quite ready for prime time.