© Unsplash/Dominik Sostmann
Fires involving electric car batteries are relatively rare, which does not mean that even the most advanced cars are exempt. The fault lies with the currently most widespread Lithium-ion technology, which involves a liquid electrolyte.
Certain conditions can cause dendrites to appear over time – conductive crystals which can cause an internal short circuit if they grow too much over charge cycles. While sealing problems, sometimes linked to cell deformation, particularly after accidents, can introduce oxygen into one or more cells.
< h2>Lithium-ion technology, once again involved in a fire ?
This inevitably causes lithium, a metal that is particularly reactive in the presence of oxygen, to catch fire. Until it causes the battery to completely catch fire. In the story reported to us by Le Télégramme, it is impossible at the moment to know what was really the cause of the battery of a Tesla catching fire in the middle of the night, between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m.
It was parked, fortunately, far from other vehicles – in a street in Brest around Square Marc-Sangnier. And was also away from nearby administrative buildings, thus not causing further damage. The firefighters believe that this fire is indeed linked to the vehicle's battery.
“The fire first started in the battery pack. We had turned it off, but at 7 a.m., we were informed that the car had completely burst into flames”, explains a firefighter quoted by Le Télégramme. Of course, manufacturers are well aware of these dangers and have managed to drastically limit them in recent years through innovations around the packaging of each cell, as well as additives that moderate the flammability of the element (without being able to do so). ;eliminate completely).
So-called solid state batteries, which do not, as their name suggests, contain liquid electrolytes, but rather operate with electrodes immersed in a rigid substance, should completely eliminate the risk of spontaneous ignition of electric car batteries. In development for several decades, this new type of battery is about to hit the market.
NIO or even Toyota hope to put the first vehicles equipped with a solid state battery on the market by 2027. In the meantime, certain rules should be respected to limit these risks involving the battery. Among other things, it is recommended to always maintain the charge between 20% and 80%. In the event of an accident, a complete assessment of the current battery (and possibly its replacement) is necessary.
- A fire involving a Tesla broke out in the streets of Brest.
- The cause would be accidental and involves the battery – of Lithium-ion technology, renowned for its susceptibility to fire in certain conditions.
- Manufacturers have been able to drastically limit this risk in recent years, but the problem does not’ ;is not completely eliminated.
- To reduce risks, drivers are currently encouraged to respect certain rules, particularly regarding recharging &# 8211; while waiting for the arrival of the first solid state batteries by 2027.
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