All vehicles can be damaged when exposed to flooding. If an EV is submerged in salt water, corrosion can allow the salt water to penetrate the battery and, in rare cases, start a fire. Of the 3,000-5,000 EVs impacted by Hurricane Ian in 2022, only about 1% caught fire. Accidental immersion at saltwater boat ramps has a similar effect but happens rarely.
Saltwater EV fires can largely be avoided by evacuating the storm path, parking the EV in an area safe from the storm surge (such as on the upper levels of a parking garage or inland area), and storing your vehicle with a 20% to 30% charge level, which reduces the energy in the battery and makes it less likely to catch fire. If there are signs an EV might have been submerged in saltwater, drivers should avoid driving the vehicle and get the car tested by trained technicians.
