Data suggests that hybrid cars are more than twice as likely catch fire as gasoline engine cars, whereas fully electric vehicles show a much lower risk of fire. The information published by is based on US data for 2020 and 2021 from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) and from recalls.gov. Number of fires per 100 000 cars sold is estimated at around 3 500 for hybrid vehicles, 1 500 for gasoline engine cars and only 25 for fully electric vehicles. The hybrid car fires tended to be related to battery problems. This report does not address the severity and specific fire fighting problems of EV fires. pinfa notes that lower fire incidence in EVs may result from higher fire resistance requirements specified by manufacturers. A summary of European data by The Guardian also suggests that EVs have lower fire risk than internal combustion engines. A report from Sweden identifying EV from ICE vehicle fires shows that hybrid and EV fires make up less than 2% of car fires. Car fire risk is strongly related to vehicle age, so EV fire frequency may increase with the average age of EVs on roads. The US National Fire Protection Association estimates that over 500 000 vehicle fires in the USA caused over 500 deaths, 1 500 civilian injuries and nearly 2 billion US$ direct property damage (2018), that is a car fire every 5 minutes.
“US Study Shows Hybrid Cars Burst Into Flames More Often Than Electric and Gas-powered Vehicles”, 1st February 2022 https://www.autoworldnews.com/articles/39969/20220201/study-shows-hybrid-cars-burst-flames-more-electric-gas-powered.htm
“Gas vs. Electric Car Fires [2024 Findings]” https://www.autoinsuranceez.com/gas-vs-electric-car-fires/
“Do electric cars pose a greater fire risk than petrol or diesel vehicles?”, The Guardian, 20th November 2023 https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/20/do-electric-cars-pose-a-greater-fire-risk-than-petrol-or-diesel-vehicles
“You’re Wrong About EV Fires”, 11th July 2023 https://www.motortrend.com/features/you-are-wrong-about-ev-fires/
“Sammanställning av bränder i elfordon och eltransportmedel år 2018–2023”, Myndigheten förSamhällsskydd och Beredskap (MSB) – Authority for Social Protection and Preparedness”, 20th May 2023, report n° 2020–02136 https://rib.msb.se/filer/pdf/29438.pdf
US NFPA vehicle fire statistics https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/research/nfpa-research/fire-statistical-reports/vehicle-fires