EVs and saltwater flooding don't mix well

[begreen]

Coastal flooding and EVs are not a good mix.

Yes, electric vehicles are prone to igniting in flood, saltwater

Officials warn electric vehicles impacted by surge experienced after Hurricane Idalia could catch fire.

www.wtsp.com

 

[EbS-P]

Nope. It’s going to be a bigger and bigger issue. We have been under coastal Flood advisory for 10 straight days. With an evacuation order in place I’m not taking my EV as finding chargers would not be something I would want to deal with. I would park it away from my home though.

 

[stoveliker]

I thought that battery sealing was better than to make that possible.
Or is it shorts outside the battery that lead to draws that eventually ignite the battery? (I'd hope that battery management is sealed within the battery seal and would recognize something like that is happening and shut things down....)

 

[EbS-P]

I thought that battery sealing was better than to make that possible.
Or is it shorts outside the battery that lead to draws that eventually ignite the battery? (I'd hope that battery management is sealed within the battery seal and would recognize something like that is happening and shut things down....)

The batteries have one way vents. They fail. Once the high voltage system gets a ground fault (resistance error below a certain threshold I believe) it should open the HV contractor. So I’m inclined to say these are internal battery failures due the the above atmospheric pressure the one way vents experience.

 

[stoveliker]

Hm. That's a design issue that should be correctable, it seems to me. Failing check valves (more fancy than that, but still).

 

[EbS-P]

Cyber truck now can pressurize the battery for short mid periods of time. Really all coastal emergency plans need to have a designated EV parking lot when everyone must evacuate.

 

[begreen]

To clarify, these rare cases are from complete immersion of the battery in saltwater for an extended period of time. I can see the possibility that even a well-designed vent might retain a small puddle of water. However, if it had a snorkel tube attached that went up through the trunk to a high point, then the risks might be reduced.
New battery chemistry and design may eliminate this issue, but for now, it is something to be aware of.

 

[EbS-P]

Good read here. Take away is that’s it’s rare. 3000-5000 flooded EVs resulted in 36 fires. I like to know how many ICE autos spontaneously combust each year without flooding.

https://insideevs.com/news/735638/ev-fire-after-flood/

 

[EbS-P]

I guess fresh water isn’t as bad? I’d be cleaning out the radiators https://carbuzz.com/rivian-r1t-owner-discovers-something-cool-after-hurricane-helene/

 

[stoveliker]

If the argument earlier (outside (water) pressure on a relief valve) is correct, then I would say that it has nothing to do with fresh or salt water.
Adding water to an EV battery will still short it, create H2 and O2, and likely cause a fire.

I guess the sealing of Rivian's batteries is better than the sealing of a Tesla...

 

[semipro]

Adding water to an EV battery will still short it, create H2 and O2, and likely cause a fire.

Sort of - pure water is actually a good electrical insulator. Of course, flood waters are far from pure.

 

[stoveliker]

Sure, but even if you add distilled water to an EV battery compartment, it'll quickly be conductive again.
(Having worked in a cleanroom, with highly pure, insulating water, I can tell you that contact with metal ruins it within a minute. Of course in the clean room we used a reverse osmosis system.)

And that's distilled water...

 

[EbS-P]

And now there is a plan

City of Tampa offering free parking in garages to avoid flood risks

As Tropical Storm Milton approaches from the Gulf, the City of Tampa is offering free garage parking to all residents in low-lying, flood-prone areas, particularly electric vehicle (EV) owners.Beginning Sunday, October 6, through 5 PM Thursday, October 10, all City-operated parking garages will...

www.tampa.gov