Gasoline Cars Catch Fire 140x More Often Than EVs

Tesla: Navigating the Safety Narrative of EVs

At a recent chat in my ESG study club, a member shared, “I saw an article saying Tesla cars are fire hazards, trapping passengers and everything. Because of that, I’ve decided to stick with Volvo—the safest car on the market.” Interestingly, this person also holds Tesla stocks, illustrating how media can sometimes skew our perception of safety, even when the facts might suggest otherwise.

Figure 1: Frequent Tesla Fire in the News – But Is It So?

Hybrid and Gasoline Cars: The Quiet Fire Risk

Contrary to what some might think, electric vehicles (EVs) are quite safe. In the U.S., just 0.5% of the 100,000 vehicle fires each year involve EVs. However, hybrids—blending gasoline engines with electric motors—carry a higher risk due to their complex systems. They’re mostly gas-powered but with the additional weight and complexity of batteries and motors. Notably, research shows that hybrids cause about 70% of car fire incidents, with gasoline cars making up the rest. So, together, these types of vehicles account for nearly all car fire accidents.

Figure 2: Hybrid and Gasoline Cars Burn Quietly
(reference: https://www.motorbiscuit.com/electric-vehicles-catch-fire-considerably-less-gas-cars/)

Figure 3: Where Most Car Fires Start – Hint: It’s the Engine

Tesla’s Safety Legacy

Tesla is often at the forefront when it comes to car safety. For example, Euro NCAP, one of Europe’s leading safety evaluators, named Tesla’s Model S and Model Y as the safest cars in 2022 out of 75 models tested. This reflects Tesla’s dedication to safety. Interestingly, Volvo, traditionally seen as a safety leader, ranked 28th in the same assessment.

Figure 4: Euro NCAP Safety Rankings – Tesla Leads

Furthermore, Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y have set new benchmarks in safety, efficiency, and innovation. With features like Autopilot, Full Self-Driving (FSD), and regular OTA updates, Tesla vehicles are among the safest on the market. Yet, some Tesla investors might still be swayed by exaggerated safety concerns spread by traditional car manufacturers.

In truth, Tesla’s EVs are not only safe but also innovative, leading in sales and setting new standards in the automotive industry.