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Florida fire marshal calls electric vehicles "ticking time bombs" amid Hurricane Milton flooding

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Elderberry:
CBS News by Kate Gibson 10/10/2024

Storm surges from Hurricane Milton could turn electric vehicles and other products containing lithium-ion batteries into "ticking time bombs," Florida's fire marshal warned.

Residents and first responders are being cautioned about "an alarming fire hazard with lithium-ion batteries, EVs, as well as hybrid and fuel cell vehicles in preparation of Hurricane Milton," according to a Monday statement from Florida fire marshal Jimmy Patronis, who also serves as the state's chief financial officer.

Hurricane Milton made landfall Wednesday night as a "dangerous Category 3" storm near Siesta Key, on Florida's central west coast, the National Hurricane Center said. Siesta Key is a barrier island located just south of Sarasota. Milton had sustained winds of 120 mph at landfall, but its strength diminished to Category 1 as it moved inland across the state.

More than 3.2 million customers were without power in Florida early Thursday.

The fire marshal's warning comes after prior incidents of floodwaters caused electric vehicles to burst into flames. Florida officials have confirmed 48 lithium-ion battery fires related to storm surge from Hurricane Helene, with 11 involving EVs.

Further, battery fires can occur hours and even weeks after electric cars are submerged in salt water, federal officials warn.

"Anything with those lithium-ion batteries needs to be moved out of the surge zones where it could be exposed to saltwater," Cathie Perkins, Pinellas County's emergency management director, said at a Wednesday morning briefing.

More: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hurricane-milton-florida-electric-vehicles-ev-fire-risk/

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