The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ Sedan was in the garage when it caught fire on July 19. According to Jennifer Ruotolo, the EV was a loaner from Mercedes-Benz while her own car was getting serviced. She told News4Jax that the luxury electric sedan wasn't even charging when it burst into flames – she doesn't own a home charging unit.
Figures from around the world show that ICE vehicles are 10 to 20 times more likely to go on fire (either due to a fault or following a crash) then EVs - but such incidents with ICE vehicles are so much more common, and have been occuring for so many years, that they don't get the same publicity as when an EV is involved.
2024 EX30 Ultra - single motor - extended range - Onyx Black (UK)
South Korea holds emergency meeting as EV fires stir consumer fear
SEOUL, Aug 12 (Reuters) - South Korean officials met on Monday to discuss electric vehicle safety and whether to require car firms to disclose battery brands amid growing consumer concern after an EV blaze in an underground garage extensively damaged an apartment block.
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ Sedan was in the garage when it caught fire on July 19. According to Jennifer Ruotolo, the EV was a loaner from Mercedes-Benz while her own car was getting serviced. She told News4Jax that the luxury electric sedan wasn't even charging when it burst into flames – she doesn't own a home charging unit.
In the UK garages have to have a minimum of 30 minutes fire resistance from the house - I wonder what the American situation is, considering their houses are usually built of just sticks!
The fire department is still investigating the cause of the fire. However, judging by the looks of the charred car body, it doesn't appear to be a battery fire. A typical Li-Ion battery generates high temperatures when it burns, often consuming a large section of the car directly on top of the battery pack. It's not unusual to find the front of the EV almost intact and the rest of the vehicle missing. The EQE involved in the Florida fire still has most of its metal parts in place, which is consistent with a regular fire, probably caused by a non-battery-related electrical problem.
