Authorities release warning as this simple mistake in your electric vehicle can put you at risk of fire
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Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular among Australian drivers due to their convenience and environmental benefits.
However, with this surge in popularity comes a responsibility to understand the unique maintenance and operational requirements of these high-tech machines.
A recent incident in Melbourne has highlighted a critical safety issue that all EV owners must be aware of: the dangers of using incompatible charging equipment.
In the quiet suburb of Glen Waverley, a seemingly innocuous decision to use a travel adaptor connected to an aftermarket charging lead to power up an EV led to disastrous consequences.
The electric vehicle burst into flames, completely destroying the car, a second vehicle parked beside it, and the entire garage housing them.
Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) was on the scene within five minutes of the emergency call, but by then, the garage was already fully engulfed in flames.
‘Two people and a dog had evacuated the property before firefighters arrived,’ FRV said.
‘Firefighters arrived within five minutes to find a garage, 10m by 5m, fully engulfed in flames. Crews wore breathing apparatus to battle the blaze, and the scene was deemed under control five minutes later.’
The investigation revealed that the fire was not caused by the EV itself but by the travel adaptor with an ‘aftermarket charging lead’.
To prevent such fires, FRV advised EV owners to purchase charging products only from reputable suppliers and strictly adhere to the manufacturer's instructions.
‘Only use chargers and cords that are originally supplied with the device,’ FRV said.
‘Check that chargers have the Regulatory Compliance Mark to show that they meet the relevant Australian Standards.’
While the Glen Waverley incident is concerning, it's worth noting that it is not an isolated case.
September alone saw two other EV-related fires in Australia. At Sydney Airport, a lithium battery from a parked car ignited, destroying five vehicles.
It's believed the battery had been removed due to damage.
On the same day, another EV caught fire after hitting debris on a road, which pierced the battery pack and triggered the blaze.
In June, a firefighter suffered burns after battling a car fire, which involved a hybrid Volvo XC40 station wagon on Ross St, Camperdown.
Despite these incidents, experts maintained that EVs are less prone to combustion than their petrol and diesel counterparts.
Data suggested that the fire risk for traditional fuel vehicles is between 20 and 80 times greater.
However, the risk of fire is not exclusive to cars; electric scooters and bikes also pose a significant hazard.
In light of these events, EV manufacturers are taking action. For instance, BYD, a rising EV maker popular in Australia, was reportedly compelled to recall nearly 100,000 vehicles in China over fire risks.
What measures do you think should be taken to ensure the safety of EVs on the road? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
However, with this surge in popularity comes a responsibility to understand the unique maintenance and operational requirements of these high-tech machines.
A recent incident in Melbourne has highlighted a critical safety issue that all EV owners must be aware of: the dangers of using incompatible charging equipment.
In the quiet suburb of Glen Waverley, a seemingly innocuous decision to use a travel adaptor connected to an aftermarket charging lead to power up an EV led to disastrous consequences.
The electric vehicle burst into flames, completely destroying the car, a second vehicle parked beside it, and the entire garage housing them.
Aussie EV owners were warned over the use of incompatible charging equipment. Credit: Fire Rescue Victoria / Facebook
Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) was on the scene within five minutes of the emergency call, but by then, the garage was already fully engulfed in flames.
‘Two people and a dog had evacuated the property before firefighters arrived,’ FRV said.
‘Firefighters arrived within five minutes to find a garage, 10m by 5m, fully engulfed in flames. Crews wore breathing apparatus to battle the blaze, and the scene was deemed under control five minutes later.’
The investigation revealed that the fire was not caused by the EV itself but by the travel adaptor with an ‘aftermarket charging lead’.
To prevent such fires, FRV advised EV owners to purchase charging products only from reputable suppliers and strictly adhere to the manufacturer's instructions.
‘Only use chargers and cords that are originally supplied with the device,’ FRV said.
‘Check that chargers have the Regulatory Compliance Mark to show that they meet the relevant Australian Standards.’
While the Glen Waverley incident is concerning, it's worth noting that it is not an isolated case.
September alone saw two other EV-related fires in Australia. At Sydney Airport, a lithium battery from a parked car ignited, destroying five vehicles.
It's believed the battery had been removed due to damage.
On the same day, another EV caught fire after hitting debris on a road, which pierced the battery pack and triggered the blaze.
In June, a firefighter suffered burns after battling a car fire, which involved a hybrid Volvo XC40 station wagon on Ross St, Camperdown.
Despite these incidents, experts maintained that EVs are less prone to combustion than their petrol and diesel counterparts.
Data suggested that the fire risk for traditional fuel vehicles is between 20 and 80 times greater.
However, the risk of fire is not exclusive to cars; electric scooters and bikes also pose a significant hazard.
In light of these events, EV manufacturers are taking action. For instance, BYD, a rising EV maker popular in Australia, was reportedly compelled to recall nearly 100,000 vehicles in China over fire risks.
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