In the world of automotive safety, there’s a stark difference between the reliability of traditional combustion-powered vehicles and the emerging risks posed by electric vehicles (EVs). For the average Ford F-150, Honda Civic, or Chevy/GMC SUV owner, the fear of their car spontaneously igniting while parked in the garage is virtually non-existent. However, the same cannot be said for owners of vehicles equipped with lithium-ion batteries, a technology notorious for its volatility.
This harsh reality was brought to light by Gonzalo Salazar, the owner of a 2019 Jaguar I-Pace. In June 2022, Salazar’s routine errand run turned into a nightmare when his EV decided to self-immolate. He shared his harrowing experience, highlighting the hidden dangers lurking in the garages of EV owners.
“On June 16, I plugged the car in before going to bed. In the morning of June 17, I woke up and unplugged the car. Later that morning, I set out to run some errands. I drove about 12 miles that morning before returning back home and parking the car back in the garage, leaving the garage door open,” Salazar recounted.
Little did he know, his car was a ticking time bomb. “As I was doing things at home, I heard pops coming from the garage. I decided to go see where the sounds were coming from, and upon walking into the garage, I faced a thick wall of smoke. My thought immediately was, ‘When there is smoke, there is fire,’ and I need to get the car out of the house garage.”
Fortunately, Salazar managed to move the car to the street, sparing his home from the inferno that soon engulfed his vehicle. “I went back to the house to get my phone and also noticed that all the smoke in the garage now had filled my entire house because the A/C unit is right next to the garage door. While I was trying to ventilate my house from the smoke, I called Jaguar roadside assistance to have them come get the car,” he explained.
The situation quickly escalated. “When I ended the conversation with them there were more pops, but this time it was followed by fire from under the car. I then called 911 to come help with the situation. But this was not a slow burn, once the fire started there were multiple pops, and the car was just engulfed in flames rapidly.”
Another EV fire… this one from Florida earlier this summer. A Jaguar i-pace was parked in an attached garage when the owner heard "popping" sounds and saw smoke puffing from the car. The car was moved outside before it burst into flames. I guess you can call them "lucky". pic.twitter.com/JUOwthCSb4
— Old Brass (@StoichioGuy) August 2, 2022
Salazar’s experience wasn’t an isolated incident. His was the fourth spontaneous fire involving a Jaguar I-Pace. While such events are relatively rare given the 50,000 I-Pace vehicles on the road, they are concerningly recurrent. Similar issues have plagued other EVs, like the Chevy Bolt, pointing to a broader problem within the industry.
Lithium-ion battery fires are particularly troubling due to their intensity and the difficulty in extinguishing them. These fires burn at extremely high temperatures, often leading to reignition even after they appear to be out. This makes them a persistent threat, especially if the vehicle is parked in or near a home.
For those owning EVs, the safest bet might be to park them in the driveway rather than the garage, especially overnight. While the risk may be low, the potential consequences are severe enough to warrant caution.
The push towards EVs is undoubtedly driven by a quest for greener alternatives. However, incidents like Salazar’s raise critical questions about the safety and readiness of this technology. As consumers, it’s vital to stay informed and weigh the risks, ensuring that the drive towards a cleaner future doesn’t come at the cost of personal safety.