This Explosion Was Not Caused by the Collision of Two Electric Vehicles
The Claim
A video captures an explosion resulting from the collision of two electric vehicles triggered by the ignition of a lithium battery.
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Emerging story
Recently, social media users circulated a video purporting to feature an explosion resulting from the collision of two electric vehicles triggered by the ignition of a lithium battery.
A cautionary tweet from a user regarding electric vehicles stated, “An incredible video, showing what can happen when two EVs collide. Note that both sides of the freeway have been shut down and there are no fire apparatus present because, once a lithium battery ignites, it cannot be easily extinguished and the fumes are toxic.”
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the viral video and found the claim to be misleading.
Contrary to the claim, this video does not depict an explosion caused by the collision of two electric vehicles ignited by a lithium battery.
The Video Shows an Explosion Due to Gas Cylinders
The original video dates back to July 2013, and it shows a spectacular explosion of gas cylinders on a Russian highway.
Imagen Noticias, a YouTube channel, published the video in a video report about the incident on July 16, 2013.
Garet Estensen, a different YouTube channel, released a complete version of the incident, displaying a Russian truck experiencing an explosion.
The footage illustrates that the explosion followed a collision involving a truck carrying gas cylinders and another vehicle.
Gas Cylinder Explosion on a Russian Highway
The truck was traveling at high speed in the outer lane of a motorway when it crashed into merging traffic, leading to the ignition of the engine in a fiery explosion.
Frightened drivers hurriedly fled to safety before the potentially explosive propane gas canisters detonated. The impact scattered the tanks across the motorway, and this incident occurred on a bustling ring road encircling Moscow, the Russian capital.
All individuals, including the driver, who sought refuge in the adjacent woods to shield themselves from the series of explosions, survived the incident.
Electric Cars Safety
Electric vehicles (EVs) adhere to the same safety standards as internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, ensuring comparable collision safety. Manufacturers typically subject their vehicles to independent crash assessments by Euro NCAP, which assigns overall safety ratings, assisting consumers in choosing the safest options. Notably, the all-electric Tesla Model Y achieved the highest Euro NCAP score under recent standards, contributing to its Safety Award at the 2023 “What Car? Awards.”
Although EVs and ICE cars differ in construction due to their power sources, their collision response remains similar. Industry experience demonstrates that manufacturers prioritize similar high safety standards for both types of vehicles, reflecting the significant advancements in crash safety over the past 25 years.
Modern ICE and electric vehicles benefit from a wealth of safety technologies, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind spot monitoring, effectively reducing the risk of accidents.
Putting Out Fires in Electric Cars Can Be Challenging
Similar to conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles, electric cars have the potential to experience fires. Even the ignition of a single cell within the battery could initiate a sequence of reactions, leading to the combustion of the remaining cells.
While incidents of electric vehicle fires are infrequent, firefighting efforts have demonstrated their difficulty in suppressing them. This challenge arises from the fact that lithium-ion batteries burn at high temperatures and with rapid intensity. Additionally, these fires demand extended efforts to ensure extinguishment due to the batteries' tendency to rekindle after initial containment.
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