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Petrol, Diesel and Electric Vehicle Fire Incidents: A Comparative (Per 100 000 Vehicles) Analysis

Just because a certain type of vehicle propulsion appears all over Social Media as being a ‘fire risk’, doesn’t mean that that vehicle type is the most prone to fires. Are we familiar with the term ‘outlier’? Don’t be lazy – look it up!

In recent years, the safety of vehicles has become a significant concern, particularly regarding the risk of fire incidents. Below is a comparative analysis of the percentages and numbers of petrol, diesel, and electric vehicles that have caught fire. The data highlights the differences in fire risk among these vehicle types, providing a clearer understanding of the situation.

I, for one, as a result of my business in renewable energy am the butt of many jokes and memes around Electric Vehicles. As a Vegan who doesn’t drink Alcohol, I have built up a fairly high tolerance of those who choose to ridicule my lifestyle. AND, whilst I am going there did I tell you that I also went to the Grey School (Junior and High)?

Fire incidents in vehicles can occur due to various reasons, including mechanical failures, electrical issues, and accidents. However, the frequency of these incidents varies significantly between petrol, diesel, and electric vehicles. The following sections outline the statistics related to each vehicle type.

Fire Incidents by Vehicle Type

Petrol Vehicles:

  • Fire Incidents: Approximately 1,530 fires per 100,000 vehicles.
  • Percentage of Total Fires: Petrol vehicles account for a significant portion of vehicle fires, indicating a higher risk compared to electric vehicles.

Diesel Vehicles

  • Fire Incidents: Similar to petrol vehicles, diesel vehicles also experience around 1,530 fires per 100,000 vehicles.
  • Percentage of Total Fires: Diesel vehicles share the same risk profile as petrol vehicles, contributing to the overall fire incident statistics.

Electric Vehicles

  • Fire Incidents: Electric vehicles have a notably lower incidence rate, with about 3.8 fires per 100,000 vehicles.
  • Percentage of Total Fires: Electric vehicles represent a mere 0.0012% of all electric passenger vehicles catching fire from 2010 to 2023. This statistic underscores the relative safety of electric vehicles in terms of fire risk.

The following table summarizes the fire incident statistics (per 100 000 Vehicles) for petrol, diesel, and electric vehicles:

  1. Petrol: 1 530
  2. Diesel: 1 530
  3. Electric: 3.8

The data clearly indicates that petrol and diesel vehicles are significantly more prone to fire incidents compared to electric vehicles. With petrol and diesel vehicles experiencing 1 530 fires per 100 000 vehicles, the risk is substantially higher than the 3.8 fires per 100 000 vehicles reported for electric vehicles. This analysis provides valuable insights into the safety profiles of different vehicle types, emphasizing the lower fire risk associated with electric vehicles.

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