Vehicle fires getting out of control

[Bam Bam]

Should we be talking about banning these ICE vehicles you see about the place? They seem to be prone to fire

A34 reopens after lorry fire near M4 Chieveley junction

All lanes on the A34 have reopened after the lorry fire near Chieveley on Monday in the early hours.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Archev]

Should we be talking about banning these ICE vehicles you see about the place? They seem to be prone to fire

A34 reopens after lorry fire near M4 Chieveley junction

All lanes on the A34 have reopened after the lorry fire near Chieveley on Monday in the early hours.

www.bbc.co.uk

Yes I wish they’d do a bit more research on these dubious technologies prior to allowing them out on to the public highways.

 

[Anon70]

Folk have very short memories

 

[Archev]

Folk have very short memories

View attachment 37353

It’s known in medical circles as selective ambrosia.
What a bunch of puddings

 

[mystreet]

Let's see how long it takes to say that it is an EV

'My new car caught fire just days after I bought it'

Sian Crooks said her car suddenly came to a stop and within seconds the engine was "engulfed in flames".

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[5teep]

Let's see how long it takes to say that it is an EV

'My new car caught fire just days after I bought it'

Sian Crooks said her car suddenly came to a stop and within seconds the engine was "engulfed in flames".

www.bbc.co.uk

Is it me or do those tyres look like slicks? might just be the crappy photo..

 

[Ferretusmaximus]

Is it me or do those tyres look like slicks? might just be the crappy photo..

Looking at similar images on Dr Google it appears that the photo has been doctored (compare the definition of the front grille with the tread lines you would expect on the tyres). No doubt the article is true (must be on the BBC) but the image may have been "edited".

 

[MG Clive]

Let's see how long it takes to say that it is an EV

'My new car caught fire just days after I bought it'

Sian Crooks said her car suddenly came to a stop and within seconds the engine was "engulfed in flames".

www.bbc.co.uk

It's not the first time a Stonic has spontaneously combusted > Shocking moment Kia Stonic bursts into flames while being driven

 

[EvTek23]

Highly irresponsible to carry 12 gallons of highly flammable liquid in a plastic container at the back of the car I reckon....anything could happen!

 

[Pete G]

Volkswagen Kombi vans used to catch fire a lot too. VW Beetles did too. The fuel line used to rub through where it went through the fire wall, then petrol would spray all over a hot air cooled motor.
That never seemed to bring on a recall for repairs. I guess they thought it would just sell more cars to replace the burnt ones

 

[Data]

Everyday here in the UK an average of 305 to 310 petrol & diesel vehicles burst into flames either at home or on the roads. EVs are 80 times LESS likely to catch fire (source: The AA & RAC joint 2yr study).

 

[salty]

Everyday here in the UK an average of 305 to 310 petrol & diesel vehicles burst into flames either at home or on the roads. EVs are 80 times LESS likely to catch fire (source: The AA & RAC joint 2yr study).

That's good Data, Data. Thanks. I'll use that.

 

[Ian Key]

Another article surprisingly from the Daily Mail about a vehicle recall due to fire risk. I say surprisingly as it's about ICE vehicles from BMW and not EVs.

BMW is recalling hundreds of thousands of cars worldwide over a potential fire risk.

A global recall would affect a 'mid-six-figure number' of cars, the spokesperson said, adding that the company would write to drivers affected to replace potentially faulty engine starters.

German car trade outlet kfz-betrieb reported that 575,000 cars across the world would be recalled.

BMW said that the issue was with the starter motor, which can wear down over time.

Though the affected cars may be harder to start over time, the auto manufacturer fears that 'in the worst-case scenario, this can lead to a vehicle fire during operation.'

The recall covers variants of the 2 Series Coupe, 3, 4, 5, and 7 Series sedans, as well as the 6 Series Gran Turismo, X4, X5, X6 and Z4 models.

Affected cars were built between July 2020 and July 2022, the specialist outlet reported.

Anadolu Agency reported that any cars fitted with starter motors during this period may also be affected.

BMW recalls hundreds of thousands of cars worldwide due to fire risk

BMW is recalling hundreds of thousands of cars worldwide over a potential fire risk.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Data]

It's interesting to note that the BMW story above isn't really making really big headlines (not that I've seen), yet even a single EV fire or even a hint of one creates panic & mayhem with petrol heads saying things like "I told you so, they're dangerous". Those folks also deliberately try to sell many ice car fires as EV car fires! Often posting very misleading videos. Yet even a look at photos taken at the scene show they are ice engined vehicles that have caught fire. EV fires are very rare even amongst NMC powered vehicles.

 

[Data]

Volkswagen Kombi vans used to catch fire a lot too. VW Beetles did too. The fuel line used to rub through where it went through the fire wall, then petrol would spray all over a hot air cooled motor.
That never seemed to bring on a recall for repairs. I guess they thought it would just sell more cars to replace the burnt ones

Yes it might seem strange but petrol on a hot engine won't result in a fire. It might increase the risk of a fire but only if there are exposed high voltage electrics or a naked flame very nearby to hit the vapour. But you really need a spark to be sure it'll ignite. It's the flashpoint that's important.

 

[Pete G]

Yes it might seem strange but petrol on a hot engine won't result in a fire. It might increase the risk of a fire but only if there are exposed high voltage electrics or a naked flame very nearby to hit the vapour. But you really need a spark to be sure it'll ignite. It's the flashpoint that's important.

that is interesting Data. Maybe the vapour gets ignited by the spark plug, points or ignition coil connections or even the starter motor brush sparks.
I have seen a few VWs many years ago ( the air cooled ones) that went up in smoke. Of course a broken wire somewhere could create the spark needed too, but the Kombi my friend had that caught fire definitely had a damaged fuel line where it went through the fire wall.
Many years ago, i pulled up next to a car at the traffic lights in Sydney. It was a Fiat, smoke was coming out from under the bonnet. The driver got out and opened the bonnet, once more air got in there the flames just burst out. He ran off to a service station to try and get a fire extinguisher. As I was sitting on a motorcycle i did not stick about to see how far the fire went.

 

[m4rmite]

Yes it might seem strange but petrol on a hot engine won't result in a fire. It might increase the risk of a fire but only if there are exposed high voltage electrics or a naked flame very nearby to hit the vapour. But you really need a spark to be sure it'll ignite. It's the flashpoint that's important.

That's incorrect
The autoignition temperature of petrol (gasoline) is between 247°C and 280°C (approximately 477°F to 536°F). This is the lowest temperature at which petrol can ignite without an external ignition source.

No flame/spark needed as the exhaust manifold will exceed these temps with ease

 

[Data]

That's incorrect
The autoignition temperature of petrol (gasoline) is between 247°C and 280°C (approximately 477°F to 536°F). This is the lowest temperature at which petrol can ignite without an external ignition source.

No flame/spark needed as the exhaust manifold will exceed these temps with ease

Yes indeed, notice I did say it might increase the risk of a fire, which of course might lead to one. But rarely will a petrol spill directly onto a hot engine cause a fire. Granted a spill onto a fully hot manifold might, but even that's not a given. And it's rare.

 

[Rolfe]

Surprised by the amount of sense in this about fires, but slightly dismayed by the rest of it.

Buaidh charbadan dealain air seirbheisean aiseig

Tha Caledonian Mac a' Bhrutainn a' toirt rabhadh gur dòcha gum bi aca ri na bhios de charbadan dealain air bòrd aiseagan a chuingealachadh leis gu bheil barrachd cuideim annta na ann an carbadan connaidh-fosail.

www.bbc.co.uk

The headline is "Effect of electric vehicles on ferry services" and I really thought we were in for a load of rubbish about fires. But no! CalMac say they're not worried about fires, that the risk of fire from an EV is very low and they have the equipment to deal with this if it happens. Big hooray there.

The concern is about weight. EVs are heavier and while this isn't an issue at the moment as there aren't many around, it's a problem that needs to be solved. They're trying not to put EVs on the mezzanine decks. Good grief, what are they doing with Defenders and all these massive ICE SUVs?

I suppose they know what they're talking about, but given that these ferries have to have some over-engineering incorporated, and they carry stuff like the tankers in the photo in the article, is the additional weight of ordinary electric cars compared to petrol really going to inconvenience anyone?