The lithium battery problem has hit Australia - fire on Domestic Flight

[NM]

Doesn't have to be a cheap one - plenty of Tesla's have caught fire and they don't use cheap battery cells.

I do hear similar comments fairly often, not always about Tesla specifically, sometimes generically about EVs.

Do you have any quantitative evidence that substantiates the comments? Either for Tesla specially or across all EVs? Either for Australia, USA, China or world-wide? I am genuinely interested in understanding the statistics and risks, but I have not been able to identify any reliable and unbiased studies.

 

[bPeteb]

Doesn't have to be a cheap one - plenty of Tesla's have caught fire and they don't use cheap battery cells.

oh rubbish (about the plenty of fires). Luckily I've not ever found the need to take our Model Y with me on a plane

but we digress

 

[AuSammy]

The last stats I saw for AU , there had been 4 EV fires. None have been spontaneous. 3 due to traffic accident. 1 one caught in a fire (not initiated by the car).

On the other hand you need to be a lot more worried about e-scooters, many issues reported.

My Samsung phone overheated (not on charge, switched on, not in use) and I caught it in time before it started a fire in my kitchen. Turned into a brick and I took it back and got an iPhone as replacement

 

[ben95]

Do you have any quantitative evidence that substantiates the comments? Either for Tesla specially or across all EVs?

A recent EU research pointed to a figure of 0.244% across all EVs for thermal runaway type fire. Another research indicated that even after an impact, EV is less likely to catch fire than ICE, though if they do catch fire it’s much much harder to contain.

that is all to say larger batteries like those in EV and residential solar systems are very safe and is designed to be very resilient. The problem is now then how can the same robustness be achieved in a much smaller scale.

 

[Quickstatus]

I'd be more worried about depreciation than the fire risk

will depreciate it like any car - to zero. Total cost of ownership expected to be a lot lower.

I had a old Golf that had done over 300,000km - depreciate to zero.
Frequent turnover of cars = lose.

 

[Quickstatus]

Link

 

[AuSammy]

Is it just power banks though? What about batteries for things like drones, SLR cameras etc? Would they be a risk too?

Batteries generally? Doesn't have to be exotic as a drone.

Electric shavers? Electric toothbrushes? Massage guns? Hearing aids? Bluetooth headphones? Tablets? Laptops? Torches? Mobile Phones? Bluetooth speakers?

I once had a bag opened by authorities in BKK to remove 2xAA cells from a torch that they wouldn't allow aboard an aircraft.

 

[NM]

It might end up happening. If so, I would hope that the airlines then cater for everyone who likes to use their devices in-flight. Our recent trip home on an Emirates A380 had only US style 110v outlets. And who thinks to throw in a US/AU adapter when flying to Europe?

I expect they will be happy to add suitable adapters to their in-flight duty-free catalogue

 

[TMP]

I'm going to ask the stupid question... are we relying on people following the rules to not pack these batteries in checked baggage or is there some kind of screening once the bag is checked in?

 

[mrsterryn]

So is it expected that when travelling via plane no power banks will be permitted ?
I am one who does need a top up on the phone during the day. I take photos yes I check social media , emails etc . Perhaps not quite the need there used to be when mum was alive but I still would have concerns about running our of battery

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I'd be more worried about depreciation than the fire risk

Depreciation, running costs, effective working life - all operating factors that need to be considered when buying a pony, scooter, car, truck, plane or whatever asset or transportation one undertakes.

 

[Forg]

Link

View attachment 459480

Cool, now I can take my EV with me in check-in luggage, and not have to rent something!

 

[Drakecula]

Huh, so that's why on my VA flights yesterday they were checking if people had power banks. The rule was if you had one, you had to be holding it with you. Not in the overhead compartment.

I was wondering why they were being so picky, but I guess a fire would put them on edge.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm going to ask the stupid question... are we relying on people following the rules to not pack these batteries in checked baggage or is there some kind of screening once the bag is checked in?

Bags are screened.