Car fires involving Tesla vehicles have become an unnerving narrative as we move towards the summer driving season. In March, a Tesla Model X burst into flames after striking a center median in California. Also, two Florida teenagers were killed after a fire in a Tesla burned so hot that rescuers and onlookers could not reach them.
These high profile accidents raise the question of whether cars powered by lithium ion batteries are more dangerous than gas powered cars.
The science behind the different vehicles suggests that electric cars may not be as dangerous. According to the National Fire Prevention Association, 174,000 car fires were reported in 2015, with a large majority of them involving gas powered cars. Also, Tesla claims that its vehicles are much safer than gas powered cars. 300,000 Teslas have been driven a total of 7.5 billion miles, and only 40 fires have been reported. In comparison, 55 fires have been reported for gas powered cars after travelling 1 billion miles.
Indeed, the statistics might be misleading, but researchers believe that continuing innovations to lithium ion batteries and their housing will make electric powered cars safer. After all, designers of gas powered cars have had over 100 years to make gas tanks (and gas-powered cars) safe. Designers are still in the process of making electric cars less resistant to fires.
Nevertheless, if you have been injured or burned due to a fire in an electric car, an experienced personal injury lawyer can advise you.
The preceding is for informational purposes only.
