With Hurricane Milton approaching Florida, residents and electric vehicle (EV) owners are making preparations to minimize potential damage. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has warned that the hurricane will bring “life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains” to central and southwestern Florida. As Floridians brace for the storm, the focus has also shifted to the risks posed to electric vehicles during such extreme weather conditions. EVs, which rely on lithium-ion batteries, face particular dangers from flooding, as water exposure can lead to battery fires. The state’s officials and experts have issued advisories to help residents protect their vehicles and, by extension, their homes.
Hurricane Helene, which recently impacted Florida, set a precedent with its link to numerous lithium-ion battery fires, including those in EVs. The damage from Helene highlighted the unique challenges that electric vehicles face during hurricanes, sparking conversations about EV safety. In the wake of Helene, Florida experienced 11 EV battery fires and 37 non-EV lithium-ion battery blazes. These incidents underscore the need for increased caution and preparedness among EV owners when dealing with such storms.
How Are Electric Vehicle Owners Preparing?
Hillsborough County has advised EV owners to relocate their vehicles from flood-prone areas. The county’s website provides guidance on electric vehicle hurricane safety, cautioning that storm surge and flooding can pose significant risks to lithium-ion batteries. EVs should not be left plugged into charging stations or parked in garages, as flooded batteries can ignite fires. The county recommends positioning electric vehicles at least 50 feet from buildings and other cars to mitigate these risks.
What Steps Are Officials Taking?
Florida CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis has issued alerts regarding the potential dangers of lithium-ion batteries during hurricanes. He emphasized the importance of removing flooded EVs from garages to prevent fires. Additionally, state officials have cross-referenced EV registration data with storm surge forecasts to identify the over 55,000 vehicles at risk. Following the manufacturer’s guidelines and allowing vehicles to vent any potentially flammable gases are recommended actions for owners of flood-damaged electric vehicles.
The storm’s anticipated impact extends beyond electric vehicles, threatening to cause substantial financial losses for Florida. With damage estimates ranging from $10 to $20 billion, the economic toll of Hurricane Milton could be significant. The disruption has already led to temporary closures of several major Florida airports as the state braces for the hurricane’s arrival.
As electric vehicles become more prevalent, the challenges they face during extreme weather events like hurricanes are becoming more apparent. The combination of environmental conditions and technology-specific vulnerabilities demands that both owners and officials remain vigilant. Learning from past experiences can help mitigate risks and enhance safety strategies for future occurrences.
Mitigating risks for EVs during hurricanes requires proactive measures from both vehicle owners and authorities. Understanding the unique vulnerabilities of EVs, particularly concerning battery safety, is crucial for developing effective response plans. Consequently, the collaboration between local governments, fire marshals, and residents is essential in ensuring safety and minimizing damage during such natural disasters.
