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usonian

(19,164 posts)
Sat Jul 12, 2025, 03:15 PM Jul 12

OK auto geniuses. Tell me if EV's are safer than IC engines in a fire area.

Gas autos make scads of heat, especially the exhaust systems, and too many wildfires have been started by cars pulling to the side of the road and igniting dry grass (CA summers are bone-dry), and that's why CalTrans and CalFire clean the sides of highways and have prescribed burns by highways.

So, is an EV any safer in that regard? How hot do batteries and engines (and brakes) get? I have a road to my well and pump house that I clear in case contractors have to drive there. Of course, since I cleared it, new weeds have grown back, and I won't drive it, nor go out in the heat to clear it again (besides. it's a steep road and I'm getting old for that shit) So, I figure if needed, I hire someone on the spot. All contractors drive big old gas or diesel rigs.

Robotic weed whackers are not cost-effective, though I keep looking for plans to motorize my garden cart to give me a hand on these roads. Since I first checked, UTV's are now available as electric, but still not worth the cost. Maybe for joyriding, but again, I am a bit old for that. And they'd have to be able to climb 12% or more grades, unpaved, without tipping over.

Interested in the replies.

My neighbor traded in an older Outback for a hybrid Forester, so hybrids are THE big thing in CA, from my viewpoint. So, there's the engine and exhaust to deal with again.

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OK auto geniuses. Tell me if EV's are safer than IC engines in a fire area. (Original Post) usonian Jul 12 OP
The catalytic converter is the part of the exhaust that's mahatmakanejeeves Jul 12 #1
Some of the newer hybrids are pure electric drivetrain IbogaProject Jul 12 #2
Post removed Post removed Jul 12 #3

mahatmakanejeeves

(65,684 posts)
1. The catalytic converter is the part of the exhaust that's
Sat Jul 12, 2025, 03:25 PM
Jul 12

most likely to touch off a brush fire.

IbogaProject

(4,665 posts)
2. Some of the newer hybrids are pure electric drivetrain
Sat Jul 12, 2025, 05:02 PM
Jul 12

They have basically a gennerator but the wheels are pure electric. Not sure the shift in fire risk. Fires are mich more common with gas & diesel vehicles. But the lithium fires with ekectric cars while rare are catastrophic. There is intensive work being done to revamp the tech to be a lower fire risk.

Response to usonian (Original post)

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