The Age of Electric is something that cannot be denied. In parts of Europe, EVs are already almost as commonplace as traditional vehicles. Adoption is slower in the US, where the internal combustion engine is part of the national culture, but there are some parts of America that are embracing the change faster than others.
Unsurprisingly, New Yorkers are among the early adopters, and earlier this year, the New York Times reported an explosive growth in EV sales. That is a choice of wording that could come back to haunt them.
Just how safe are EVs?
New Yorkers are no stranger to the potential risks associated with Lithium ion batteries after the recent spate of explosions relating to e-bikes. Earlier this year, Mayor Adams rushed through a new safety action plan to protect New Yorkers from fires caused by lithium-ion batteries and promote safe electric micro mobility usage.
However, the batteries in EVs are vastly more powerful than those in ebikes. As EVs become commonplace, are they accidents waiting to happen? Right now, they are new, but what about 10 or 20 years down the line when cash-strapped drivers are using them beyond their natural lifespan through financial neccessity?
Thermal runaway – a real risk or media hype?
None of us have a crystal ball, but it is an area that both lawmakers and car accident attorneys are watching extremely closely. In Europe, where there are far more EVs on the roads, there have been plenty of examples of EV’s suddenly catching fire. If an EV battery overheats, a process called thermal runaway can occur, a chain reaction that becomes an inferno and is hard to extinguish.
Tabloid news sites and video sharing platforms like YouTube can give the impression that spontaneous and catastrophic EV battery fires are commonplace. The truth is a car with a gas tank has a much higher risk of explosion than an EV.
The future is now
While it is natural to approach new technology with caution, the fire risk associated with EVs is being managed and monitored. Each new generation of battery is safer than the last.
Meanwhile, the truth is that those who have tried living with an EV, especially in a city like New York, have shown no inclination to go back. In NYC, at least, the future is now, and it is electric
