ENZHMS
Link Copiedcheck_circle
EV

Hot Weather and EV Fires: Separating Fact from Fiction

Kumeran Sagathevan

Share via

ZEVA-FIRE-(12).jpg


Last year, Ts. Dr. Mohd Zaid from the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) warned EV owners not to charge in the rain. Now, another fire official claims hot weather directly causes EV fires.

Clearly, these statements ignore key facts about EV technology and fire risks.


Caricarz-MBA-EMobilityAsia2024-48.jpg


Most recently statement by Perak Fire and Rescue Director Sayani Saidon urged all drivers to keep a fire extinguisher in their vehicles - a great idea that should be mandatory. Fire extinguishers help control small fires before firefighters arrive.

However what is concerning is Sayani linking rising vehicle fires, including EVs, to battery overheating in hot weather. While carrying an extinguisher is smart, the public must know that EV battery fires release toxic fumes and should be handled by trained professionals with proper gear.


thumb-(7).jpg


Blaming hot weather for EV fires is misleading. Modern EVs have Battery Thermal Management Systems (BTMS) that regulate heat. Manufacturers test EVs in extreme conditions to ensure safety, making overheating unlikely.

The real cause of EV battery fires is thermal runaway due to internal short circuits, manufacturing defects, or physical damage - not just hot weather. Overcharging, faulty chargers, or damaged battery cells are bigger risks than ambient heat.

ICE vehicles actually have a higher fire risk due to fuel leaks, overheated engines, and electrical failures. Petrol is highly flammable, and engine bay temperatures in ICE cars are often higher than in EVs. That said, ICE vehicle fires often can be put out if the driver or people around have access to a fire extinguisher.


14--full.jpg


A well-maintained EV with a working cooling system won’t spontaneously combust. Most EV fires result from battery defects, improper charging, or damage.

Carrying a fire extinguisher is smart, but misinformation about EV fire risks is harmful, especially in a hot tropical country like Malaysia. If sunlight were truly a major issue, promoting EV adoption here would make no sense in the first place.

The real focus should be on proper maintenance, responsible charging, and ensuring firefighters have the right tools—but have we even addressed these properly yet?


Original Article: Sinar Harian


Share This Article

More then half his life spend being obsessed with all thing go-fast, performance and automotive only to find out he's actually Captain Slow behind the wheels...oh well!

Share via

JPJ Running Numbers

KUALA LUMPUR

VQE4429

SELANGOR

BSL631

JOHOR

JYN2659

PULAU PINANG

PRW7261

PERAK

APD4857

PAHANG

CFE4991

KEDAH

KGD4945

NEGERI SEMBILAN

NEH9621

KOTA KINABALU

SJP3695

KUCHING

QAB7802M

Last updated 20 Dec, 2025

Fuel Price

Petrol

RON 95

RM 2.64

-0.02

RON 97

RM 3.27

-0.02

RON 100

RM 5.00

VPR

RM 6.23

Diesel

EURO 5 B10

RM 3.06

-0.02

EURO 5 B7

RM 3.26

-0.02

Last updated 11 Dec, 2025

Related News

Auto News

21-04-2025
Auto News

20-03-2025
EV

07-10-2024
Auto News

01-10-2024
Auto News

11-09-2024
Auto News

13-08-2024
EV

17-07-2024
Auto News

31-05-2024

Latest News

EV
ST Clarifies EV Charging Licences, Individual High-Rise Charging to Follow

ST Clarifies EV Charging Licences, Individual High-Rise Charging to Follow

ST clarifies EV charging licences policy, individual high-rise parking bays expected to be addressed next year.

EV
No Cash Rebates for EVs Under Budi95

No Cash Rebates for EVs Under Budi95

No cash rebates for EVs Under Budi95, govt reminds again that targeted fuel assistance is for those who need it most.

EV
New Dedicated Electric Vehicle Test Center (EVTC) Opens In Kedah

New Dedicated Electric Vehicle Test Center (EVTC) Opens In Kedah

Focus Applies Technologies opens region’s first dedicated Electric Vehicle Test Center (EVTC) in Kedah.

18-12-2025
EV
CBU EV Sales Surge Ahead of Dec 31 Tax Deadline

CBU EV Sales Surge Ahead of Dec 31 Tax Deadline

CBU EV sales jumped 33% in Nov as buyers moved quickly to secure tax-free pricing before incentives expire.

EV
Denza Malaysia Surpasses 1,000-unit Sales Milestone

Denza Malaysia Surpasses 1,000-unit Sales Milestone

Denza Malaysia reveal it has shifted 1,002 units of its D9 luxury EV MPV locally in less than a year.

16-12-2025
EV
smart #2 EV Begins Testing Ahead of 2026 Debut

smart #2 EV Begins Testing Ahead of 2026 Debut

The long-awaited smart ForTwo’s successor, the smart #2, begins testing ahead of its planned debut later in 2026.

16-12-2025
EV
EV Ambitions: Cheap Petrol, Costly Bottlenecks

EV Ambitions: Cheap Petrol, Costly Bottlenecks

With one charger for every 13.5 EVs, Malaysia’s EV ambitions face both a numerical and regulatory gap in its ecosystem.

EV
BYD Advances EV Efficiency with Variable-Flux Motor Patents

BYD Advances EV Efficiency with Variable-Flux Motor Patents

BYD reveal patents for variable-flux e-motors, aims to improve EV efficiency further through torque and driving range.

Show More

trending_flat
Carz Automedia Malaysia Logo
About Us

CarzAutoMedia: Stay connected to the latest car news! Get instant updates on new releases, industry trends, and automotive innovations. Your go-to source for 24/7 coverage of everything automotive.

© 2025 CariCarz.com. All Rights Reserved.