In the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia's assault on Florida's Big Bend region, a pair of Tesla electric vehicles (EVs) spontaneously ignited, having been inundated by seawater.
The incidents have prompted local fire departments to issue warnings to residents about the potential dangers of housing their electric vehicles indoors or in close proximity to buildings.
The Palm Harbor Fire Rescue issued a statement on social media, cautioning owners of hybrid or electric vehicles that had been exposed to saltwater flooding. "Saltwater exposure can trigger combustion in lithium-ion batteries," the statement read. "If your vehicle has been in contact with saltwater due to recent flooding within the last 24 hours, it is crucial to relocate the vehicle from your garage without delay."
Carfax spokesperson Patrick Olsen explained the risk associated with saltwater exposure. "The salt water that is flooding can get into the battery and dry there, and once it dries, it creates what federal safety officials call bridges between cells, and that can lead to fires, and that those fires can come anywhere from days to weeks later," Olsen said. He further emphasized the difficulty in extinguishing such fires once an EV ignites.
The U.S. Fire Administration corroborates Olsen's statement, noting that ignition of EV batteries tainted by seawater can occur days or even weeks after the initial exposure. These fires are not only challenging to suppress but also release harmful chemicals into the environment.
The recent incidents are not isolated. Last year, Hurricane Ian's saltwater flooding led to the destruction of at least a dozen EVs in Florida. Tragically, two homes that had survived the hurricane were razed to the ground due to a single compromised EV stored in a garage spontaneously combusting.
The U.S. Fire Administration advises those whose EVs have been exposed to saltwater flooding to move their vehicles at least 50 feet away from structures, other vehicles, and combustible materials.
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