Electric vehicles (EVs) have faced growing scrutiny over reports of fires, raising concerns about their safety compared to traditional combustion-engine cars. While EV fires are rare, they often burn longer and more intensely due to high-voltage battery systems, posing unique challenges for firefighters and emergency responders. The underlying causes range from manufacturing defects and physical damage to battery degradation over time, though experts emphasize that most EVs remain statistically safer than gasoline-powered vehicles. Understanding the mechanics behind these incidents—including thermal runaway, where a chain reaction causes batteries to overheat—could help clarify why EV fires behave differently and how risks might be mitigated in the future.
Explainer: Why and how EVs catch fire kathmandupost.com
