An amazing number of EVs are going “boom and burn.” Perhaps hot dogs and marshmallows should be sold with them, so owners can cook a snack while waiting for the fire department. It is fun to joke, but this is a very serious problem.
Let’s begin with e-bicycles, e-scooters and hoverboards. These are known as LEVs (light electric vehicles). In 2022, 19 people died from overheating incidents related to these devices. In New York City alone, LEVs were responsible for at least 208 fires, 142 injuries and six deaths, according to the NYC Fire Department. In 2021, again in NYC, there were 104 fires, 79 injuries and four deaths caused by LEVs. 2020 yielded 44 fires, 23 injuries and zero deaths. These data show this is a growing problem.
A March 2023 article states, “The US Consumer Product Safety Commission says … [there were] more than 200 incidents since … 2021. … More devices means more fires, experts say.”