Communications, for now, arrive outside Italy: first from London, now from New York. Here’s who’s sounding the alarm and what’s going on…
Electric vehicles undoubtedly represent the future and the turning point of the entire global transport sector. Greater safety, reliability, comfort, very high technologies and reduced polluting emissions. All perfect? Actually…no. A dilemma still persists.
Many are still wondering – having heard and seen news reports from all over the world – if these types of “futuristic” vehicles (we are referring to cars, scooters and electric scooters) they are somehow dangerous. Dry, certain and definitive answers, to date, there are none. However, there are interesting statistics and in this case also statements.
We need to pay close attention to the words we read and report, just as we need not to be alarmed for no reason or even underestimate some news. First step? Inform yourself very well, especially in relation to the real fulcrum of the matter: lithium batteries.
Let the numbers speak: 87 lithium battery fires plus in New York City in the first 11 months of 2022. The numbers were released by the New York Times, one of America’s leading newspapers (founded in 1851). Between January and November 2022 these fires resulted 6 dead and 140 injured.
Here are the alarming statements of the New York Fire Department
After the words of the London Fire Brigade, those of the New York VFF arrive, almost as if it were a deferred chorus: “Batteries and chargers pose serious fire safety risks. NoThey shouldn’t be used indoors because most apartments don’t have sprinklers and home furnishings are highly flammable.”
The official statement takes some into account sequential episodes that took place in the US and beyond: a November a fire in an apartment on the East Side (present five e-bikes and scooters), ad August another fire in Harlem (Manhattan) caused by a lithium battery with the death of a five-year-old girl and a 36-year-old woman. Finally, a July 2022 a death in his own apartment of a 27-year-old man who made home deliveries due to another fire that broke out from his electric bike.
The New York Fire Brigade have no doubts: it is about fires often caused by damaged, malfunctioning or aging batteries or from incompatible chargers, which lead to overcharging and overheating of the battery. The latter are now part of everyday life and are contained in smartphones, PCs and of course now also in cars. It is important to know that lithium batteries suffer from the drop to 0% of the minimum charge level and are sensitive to heat (they should always be stored at room temperature).
Their potential explosion is rare, but these things can certainly happen. For overheatingprecisely, or for the damage of the protective layer (the separator) positioned between the different metal films that make up the battery. In New York, taking precisely into account these news and statements that we have reported to you, meanwhile theidea of proposing to the Government a ban on introducing bicycles and electric scooters into buildings. We will soon find out whether this proposal becomes law or not.