Electric Car Battery Fire in Rishon LeZion Linked to High-Speed Crash
A Zeekr 001 electric vehicle caught fire in an underground parking lot in Rishon LeZion, Israel, after crashing into a wall at high speed, reportedly around 100 km/h. The 80-year-old driver had apparently experienced a medical event, leading to the loss of consciousness and the subsequent collision. The fire damaged nearby vehicles, and 34 firefighters worked for hours to extinguish the blaze.
Initial investigations suggest the car accelerated into the wall due to the driver's incapacitation. While electric cars are equipped with advanced safety systems designed to brake automatically, the system may disengage if the driver touches the brake pedal, allowing them to regain control. However, the primary concern remains the battery's ignition.
Roy Zuckerman, head of the hazardous materials branch at the National Fire Commissioner's headquarters, reassured the public that electric car batteries do not ignite spontaneously. He explained that in this case, the high-speed impact caused mechanical damage, breaching the battery's protective casing and leading to thermal runaway and ignition. He emphasized that external force, like crashing into a wall, is required to cause such a fire.
Zuckerman also stated that statistically, electric car battery fires are rare in Israel, with only a few incidents reported annually despite over 300,000 electric and hybrid vehicles on the roads. He advised against discouraging the purchase of electric cars based on this incident.
To mitigate risks, the fire commissioner's office has advocated for regulations requiring electric vehicle importers to label their vehicles, a regulation not fully enforced by the Ministry of Transportation. Firefighters have been equipped with thermal blankets to contain electric vehicle fires and have access to a database indicating the location of the vehicle's electrical system cutoff switch. Owners are advised to ensure safe charging practices, use authorized charging stations installed by certified electricians, and promptly address any warning signs or unusual noises, smells, or smoke from their vehicles by evacuating immediately and calling emergency services.
