In June, a car carrier carrying several hundred electric vehicles caught fire in the North Pacific .This brings back memories of theÂ
Fremantle Highway freighter , which burned down last August. It, too, had electric vehicles on board. At the time, the electric vehicles were long considered the cause of the fire – apparently wrongly, as it later turned out. Is that Thermal Runway?
Thermal runaway is a dangerous chain reaction that occurs in batteries, especially lithium-ion types, when internal heat builds up faster than it can be released. This rapid increase in temperature causes chemical reactions inside the battery to accelerate, generating even more heat and leading to a self-sustaining cycle. As the temperature rises, the battery’s internal structure may break down, releasing flammable gases that can cause fire or even explosions. Thermal runaway is often triggered by factors such as overcharging, physical damage, manufacturing defects, or exposure to high external heat, making it one of the most serious safety risks in modern battery technology.
Electric car fire become headline
Despite growing headlines about electric cars catching fire, the real danger deserves closer examination. On the surface, the numbers seem reassuring: electric vehicles are far less likely to ignite compared to gasoline or diesel cars. Out of every 100,000 vehicles sold, more than 1,500 combustion engines catch fire, while only about 25 electric cars do. Yet, probability is only part of the story. The severity of the damage is another critical factor—and here, electric car fires pose a greater challenge. They are notoriously difficult to extinguish, and even after being put out, there is a risk of the fire reigniting unexpectedly. Genuine battery is essential.
