Safety tips to avoid EV battery fires during Hurricane Milton flooding, storm surge

Just over two weeks ago, Hurricane Helene left behind swaths of Florida’s gulf coast and regions of other southeastern states underwater and without power, taking hundreds of lives.

Now, another major storm, Hurricane Milton, is approaching Florida’s Gulf Coast, where many residents who are still recovering from Helene had to pause recovery efforts to evacuate.

What happens to electric cars in a hurricane?

During Hurricane Idalia in 2023, which also made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region, there were two electric vehicle fires due to floodwaters near Tampa.

How well do electric cars do in floods? If your EV is parked in a garage, and your home may flood, do not leave it there

“Electric cars are designed and tested to avoid water damage just as a combustion car would be, and they must meet a strict set of safety criteria before being allowed on sale,” Electrifying.com says.

But just like cars that run on combustion engines, they aren’t made to sit in standing water. If your EV is parked in your garage and you believe your home may flood, do not leave it there. Move your EV to higher ground before the storm hits if you aren’t driving it to evacuate.

If you’re deciding whether or not to drive your car in floodwaters, refrain. You should never drive through floodwaters of any kind, in any kind of car.

If you absolutely cannot avoid taking your EV out on the road while there are still floodwaters, Electrifying.com suggests checking the maximum wading depth of your car.

“For example, both an Audi Q8 and an Audi e-tron have a 500mm maximum rating, as per Audi’s official figures. But it varies from car to car,” the website says.

Electric vehicles that have been submerged in water, especially salty water, have a higher potential to combust due to the battery short circuiting.

Should I unplug my electric car during a storm?

Charging your car is safe if it’s just raining and it’s charging in a garage or covered carport, as long as you aren’t using an extension cord that’s exposed to the elements.

“Plugging into a wallbox or a proper charging point is absolutely fine and is completely safe, whatever the weather,” Electrifying.com says.

“However, if you use a multi-socket extension cord to charge your EV by running a domestic three-pin plug from your house and outside, leaving that extension out in wet weather is obviously not a very smart idea.”

But since Hurricane Milton is packing a lot more than just rain, it’s probably a good idea to refrain from charging your car during and immediately after the storm even if you do have the power to do so – especially if there is any standing water around your car.

How do I protect myself and my electric car after a hurricane?

After Hurricane Ian’s EV fires and ahead of Idalia’s landfall in 2023, Tampa Fire Rescue posted tips for keeping yourself and your EV safe after a hurricane.

• If your EV has been submerged in water, do not drive it or attempt to connect it to charging.
• Damaged EV batteries can produce flammable gas. Venting the passenger compartment is recommended once the vehicle is out of the water. Do not store the vehicle indoors.
• Do not interact with vehicles exhibiting signs of damaged or overheating high voltage batteries, including leaking fluids, sparks, smoke, bubbling noises, and/or unusual odors.
• Call 911 if:
  • You see dark and light clouds that look like smoke coming from underneath the EV.
  • You hear popping, whistling or hissing noises.
  • You see jet-like flames from underneath the vehicle.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The article discusses the impact of hurricanes on electric vehicles and provides tips for keeping EVs safe during and after storms.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – The article highlights the potential risks and dangers of electric vehicles in floodwaters caused by hurricanes.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The article mentions the design and safety criteria that electric vehicles must meet before being allowed on sale.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.
• SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• SDG 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of electric vehicle-related fires after hurricanes
• Number of electric vehicles damaged or destroyed by floodwaters
• Number of EV owners following safety guidelines after hurricanes
• Number of EV owners aware of the risks of leaving their vehicles in flood-prone areas

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: news-press.com