As electric vehicles (EVs) gain momentum and popularity, some detractors have created myths regarding their safety.
Experts conclude that EVs are just as safe as or safer than internal combustion engine, or gas, vehicles and are less prone to fires and rollover crashes.
Rigorous safety testing
- EVs perform highly in safety ratings, with 12 EV models making the list of 2026 Top Safety Picks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
- All passenger vehicles, including EVs, sold in the U.S. must comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and must undergo an extensive testing process.
- EV batteries must go through additional testing. EV battery manufacturers and suppliers must test their products for compliance with UL 2580, the standard for electric vehicle batteries, as well as other standards from the federal government and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
Battery durability
- EV battery packs are tightly sealed in durable, waterproof cases that prevent corrosion. They must comply with design and regulatory safety standards, such as IP68, which ensures that the battery is protected against dust and can withstand water immersion.
- The testing process for batteries used in electric vehicles to comply with UL 2580 is rigorous and includes testing for overcharge, short circuit, vibration endurance, external fire exposure, water immersion, and more.
- EVs are designed with additional safety features that shut down the electrical system when they detect a collision or short circuit.
- Because batteries are generally placed widely within the frame along the bottom of the vehicle, EVs tend to have a lower center of gravity than conventional vehicles, making them more stable and less likely to roll over.
- EV batteries have a long lifespan, thanks in part to these safety features. Modern EV batteries last 15 to 20 years on average, and they can be repurposed, refurbished, or recycled when they’re no longer usable in a vehicle.
Less prone to fires than gas cars
- According to data from Norway, fires in gasoline and diesel cars are more than 8 times more frequent than those in electric cars. This comparison is based on the number of reported fire incidents involving each vehicle type in 2025 and the number of registered vehicles of each type in 2025. The fire incident database includes all electric vehicle fires, including those in which the battery pack did not catch fire, so the number of EV fires involving the battery may be even lower.
- EVs are also less likely to experience non-crash fires than gas vehicles, according to insurance claim data studied by the Highway Loss Data Institute.
- EV charging stations do not pose an inherent fire risk. A fire while an EV is charging is very rare and can only happen if the vehicle or the charging station is damaged or defective. If both the vehicle and the charging station are operating normally and compliant with safety standards, it is electrically impossible for the battery to be overcharged and start a fire.
- Specialized training helps firefighters control EV fires quickly and effectively. The National Fire Protection Association has EV fire safety protocols and training resources available to guide first responders.
- Gas and diesel vehicles catch fire every day. There is a vehicle fire about every 3 minutes in the United States, and internal combustion vehicles make up the vast majority of these incidents.
