Electric cars explosion risk after Helene

[Opti]

Yet another risk of electric car ownership I would not have thought of. I wonder what owners have to do to get their cars checked out and OK'd. Anyone have an electric vehicle that got exposed this way?

www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/saltwater-is-making-electric-cars-explode-after-hurricane-helene/ss-AA1rsaZk?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=b18a4e4ffdd94113a1c35fd0e7addc95&ei=48#image=1

Saltwater is making electric cars explode after Hurricane Helene

Electric vehicles that have been flooded with saltwater are being treated as a potential fire hazard in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Officials are urging those who evacuated and left electric vehicles or golf carts in garages or under buildings to report them if they cannot safely access or move the vehicles. Saltwater exposure can damage the battery components in electric vehicles, potentially leading to dangerous chemical reactions that could cause the vehicle to catch fire

[seriousthistime]

I haven't had an EV ruined by saltwater, but any car will be ruined by flooding, so if possible a car should be parked on higher ground if flooding is possible. 

I read that saltwater conducts electricity, so if left standing in saltwater the current runs between the battery's positive and negative connections causing it to short circuit. 

I may not be explaining it well. 

At any rate, I'm sure this headline will be more grist for the anti-EV crowd.  Forget about the thousands of ICE vehicles ruined by flood waters (salt and otherwise), look here! EVs explode in salt water! 

[Opti]

I thought it was an interesting possible issue, as it's not something I would have thought of. And it's really just a risk for those who live in flood prone areas.

[mollyanna58]

All the cars flooded are probably ruined. A gas-powered car doesn't have the risk of explosion. I wonder if hybrids are a concern.

[seriousthistime]

Sept 30, 2024 9:51:02 GMT -5 Opti said:

I thought it was an interesting possible issue, as it's not something I would have thought of. And it's really just a risk for those who live in saltwater flood prone areas.

Apparently this is not an issue with fresh water flooding. 

[seriousthistime]

Sept 30, 2024 10:42:23 GMT -5 mollyanna58 said:

All the cars flooded are probably ruined. A gas-powered car doesn't have the risk of explosion. I wonder if hybrids are a concern.

A gas-powered car does have the risk of explosion.  It's just not due to saltwater flooding.