Amid the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Florida’s fire marshal said firefighters are battling numerous fires as a result of electric vehicle batteries becoming waterlogged.
Florida Chief Financial Officer and Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis took to Twitter with the warning Thursday.
“There’s a ton of EVs disabled from Ian. As those batteries corrode, fires start,” Patronis wrote. “That’s a new challenge that our firefighters haven’t faced before. At least on this kind of scale.”
There’s a ton of EVs disabled from Ian. As those batteries corrode, fires start. That’s a new challenge that our firefighters haven’t faced before. At least on this kind of scale. #HurricaneIan pic.twitter.com/WsErgA6evO
— Jimmy Patronis (@JimmyPatronis) October 6, 2022
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Patronis shared a video taken in Naples, Florida, of firefighters working to put out a fire started by a Tesla’s battery. A person standing nearby can be heard saying that hundreds of gallons of water had been used while battling the fire.
“It takes special training and understanding of EVs to ensure these fires are put out quickly and safely,” Patronis added. “Thanks to [North Collier Fire Rescue] for their hard work.”
It takes special training and understanding of EVs to ensure these fires are put out quickly and safely. Thanks to @NCFRPio for their hard work. #Hurricanelan pic.twitter.com/oN0RvQTG2U
— Jimmy Patronis (@JimmyPatronis) October 6, 2022
Concerns over fires ignited as a result of corroded batteries add to other consumer complaints about electric vehicles, including a lack of charging stations, charging effectiveness, and electric truck towing capabilities.
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Hurricane Ian destroyed Florida’s west coast last week. The Category 4 storm is set to be the deadliest to hit Florida since 1935, with death toll estimates rising above 100.
