KARLSRUHE (Germany): When electric vehicles catch fire, the damage is often immense and the incidents often make big headlines.
Is bad charging to blame and where are the dangers? And how can you replenish the batteries of your electric vehicle safely? First, a few words of comfort.
“Examining our statistics, we have no evidence that electric vehicles catch fire more frequently than cars with combustion engines,” said Jörg Asmussen, chief executive of the German Insurance Association (GDV).
Police and firefighters take the same view, yet many people believe there is an element of danger to charging battery-electrics at home.
According to a survey conducted by the market research institute YouGov on behalf of DEVK insurance group, 49% of respondents believe electric vehicles catch fire more quickly than cars with combustion engines. Older people in particular rate the fire risk of electric vehicles (EVs) as higher.
So where does this fear come from? The number of EV fires making headlines may simply to do with the rise of EVs on roads. The Interior Ministry in Germany’s Baden-Württemberg state points to the steady increase in vehicles with alternative drive systems, which leads to a growing number of electric-powered vehicles involved in accidents and fires.
How to choose best home charger for electric car
Car manufacturers meanwhile point to the multi-stage safety system installed in battery-electrics. This is designed to rule out overheating and overcharging during operation. Expert organization Dekra admits however that risks do arise during charging that do not affect vehicles with thermal engines.
At the same time, the causes of fire in combustion-engined vehicles such as spilt petrol igniting are not a problem.
“So there is a shift in potential risks without, in our view, an increase in the overall risk,” said a Dekra spokesman.
Serious fires involving EVs are still rare, although fire safety expert Frank Hachemer expects to see more of them in the future.
This poses challenges for firefighters since extinguishing the blazes calls for large amount of cooling water.
Battery defects can lead to overheating or overcharging, and broken emergency charging cables can also be a fire hazard. Dekra and ADAC also point out the danger of smouldering cables and and fires triggered by an outdated or overloaded home electrical installations.
The automobile club advises against regular charging at household sockets for safety reasons. According to Dekra, it is even more problematic when vehicles are charged in communal garages using emergency charging cables fitted with household plugs.
The majority of domestic leads are not designed to transfer that much power. They are more likely to give you an electric shock, and can also increase the risk of electrical fires. Using a regular extension lead to charge your EV is just as risky.
Household sockets are designed for domestic use and when EVs are charged for several hours, increased resistance can occur in the circuit due to worn contacts. This generates excess heat and can cause a fire. Experts recommend a permanently installed charging station – the so-called wallbox.
Models cost between €700 and €1,600 (up to RM7,200) with installation costs on top of that. An electrician will firstly make sure that the domestic network is up to the job and beef it up if need be.
In addition to a safe charging experience, wallbox charging stations will also power your electric vehicle much faster than if you were to use a domestic socket. They come too with a range of smart functionalities to help balance energy use and maintain battery life.
Wallboxes are also designed to withstand extreme weather conditions too, so you never have to worry about running electricity cables when it rains.
Keyword: How to recharge your car at home safely