What are the causes of electric vehicle spontaneous combustion?

[McConnor]

The causes of electric vehicle spontaneous combustion include aging wiring, battery short circuits, and excessive charging. Below is an introduction to battery charging voltage and current: 1. Voltage: The charging voltage for vehicles is 12V. During the charging process, the charging voltage typically ranges between 13.5-14.5V. When charged in the vehicle via the rectifier, it does not exceed 15V. If using a charger, the charging voltage is generally 14V. 2. Current: During the vehicle charging process, the charging current should not be too high. It is recommended that vehicle owners avoid using fast charging. When charging, use a current that is half of the rated charging current and extend the rated charging time by double.

[RyderLee]

I have researched electric vehicle issues for several years and found that spontaneous combustion most commonly occurs in the battery system. Collision damage to the battery pack can cause internal short circuits, releasing heat with instantaneous currents of thousands of amps; failure of the thermal management system can cause the battery temperature to surge to dangerous levels; manufacturing defects in the battery, such as separator flaws, can gradually accumulate risks. Another hidden danger is the misuse of fast charging, as high-power charging can cause electrolyte decomposition, producing gas that leads to swelling and rupture. Additionally, short circuits caused by water ingress are particularly deadly, especially when driving in the rain and splashing water onto the battery pack. These situations can all trigger a chain reaction of thermal runaway, leading to open flames or even explosions.

[StRiver]

My experience in car repair tells me that electric vehicle spontaneous combustion always follows these four steps of thermal runaway: first, a single battery cell overheats triggering a high-temperature alarm, then the heat spreads to adjacent cells, followed by an exponential rise in temperature across the entire battery pack, and finally the release of flammable gases leading to self-ignition. This process could be caused by aging or leaking charging circuits, or overcharging due to faulty charging station adapters. The hidden danger of a deformed battery pack after a collision is even more insidious, potentially taking days before overheating and catching fire. It's advisable to regularly check battery health and park away from flammable materials, especially avoiding immediate charging after summer sun exposure.

[Teri]

After handling several incidents last year, it was found that the main source of spontaneous combustion lies in the electrical circuits. Damaged insulation in high-voltage wiring harnesses can cause arcing and sparking, while faults in the electronic control system can lead to sudden surges in charging current. Some people even modify their vehicles to increase motor power, which can cause overheating in the wiring due to overloaded operation. Battery pack sealing issues are also common, where water ingress leads to short circuits that instantly generate large amounts of hydrogen gas. Another unexpected factor is chassis impacts, where stones can penetrate battery pack gaps and trigger short circuits. Rapid temperature changes causing thermal expansion and contraction can exacerbate these issues, especially in older vehicles that have been in use for four or five years, posing higher risks.