high tide from hurricane milton Electric vehicles and other products with lithium-ion batteries could become “ticking time bombs,” the Florida Fire Marshal warns.
A Monday statement from Florida Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis said residents and first responders should be aware of the “alarming fire hazards posed by lithium-ion battery, EV, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles in preparation for Hurricane Milton.” He says he has been warned. He serves as the state’s chief financial officer.
By noon Wednesday hurricane milton The National Hurricane Center said it was moving across the Gulf of Mexico as a powerful Category 4 storm and expected to make landfall along Florida’s central west coast late Wednesday or early Thursday.
The fire marshal’s warning comes in the wake of previous flooding incidents that caused electric cars to explode and burst into flames. Florida officials have confirmed 48 lithium-ion battery fires related to storm surge from Florida. hurricane helen11 of which were related to EVs.
In addition to cars, there are other consumer products that include lithium-ion batteries, such as scooters, hoverboards, golf cars, and toys.
Patronis said owners should move their EVs to higher ground where there is less risk of flooding. After a storm, EVs flooded with saltwater will need to be moved away from homes and to safety, so “we don’t have to worry about fixing the house instead of rebuilding it on fire,” Patronis said. said.
And firefighters in Palm Harbor, Fla., warned Tesla owners about rechargeable cars last year. Batteries may catch fire Two electric cars caught fire after being submerged in water and then exposed to seawater.
A lithium-ion battery pack consists of a group of cells within a compartment and contains a flammable liquid electrolyte. According to one study, EV and plug-in hybrid vehicles have about 1,000 times more cells than electric bikes. Report by CBS News Innovation Lab. Higher energy batteries with more cells have a higher risk of failure.
Vehicles and other equipment at risk of flooding should be unplugged and moved to open space, according to guidance from both Tesla and Patronis.
Tips if your EV, hybrid, or alternative fuel vehicle is flooded:
Keep all windows and doors open to allow flammable gases to escape from the cabin. If your vehicle is stored indoors and you can move it, move it outside to an open-air location. If moving is not possible, keep the storage area open and ventilated. Do not attempt to charge the vehicle by unplugging it. Disable the vehicle by chocking the wheels, shifting the gear to Park, removing the ignition key, or disconnecting the 12V power source. Avoid contact with high voltage batteries, especially if the vehicle shows signs of HV battery damage or overheating. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for your specific vehicle.