Why You Shouldn’t Keep Electronic Vehicles in Your Garage During Seasonal Weather Events

Executive Summary: With the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), it’s important to understand the risks they can pose during natural disasters. This blog explains why leaving an EV with a lithium-ion battery in your garage during hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and other extreme events can lead to fire hazards, battery malfunctions, or toxic fumes. We outline the dangers for each disaster type and provide practical tips to protect your home, vehicle, and family. Being aware of these risks will help you stay safe and prepared in emergency situations.

As electric vehicles (EVs) become increasingly common, many of us rely on them for everyday transportation. The heart of these vehicles is the lithium-ion battery, a sophisticated and efficient power source. However, when natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and extreme weather events are on the horizon, leaving an electronic vehicle in your garage may pose significant risks. Here’s a closer look at why you shouldn’t keep a lithium-powered vehicle in your garage during certain types of natural disasters, with a breakdown of the risks for each situation.

Hurricanes, Tropical Storms, and Flooding: Risk of Water Exposure

Hurricanes and tropical storms often bring with them heavy rainfall, powerful winds, and dangerous storm surges, leading to flooding that can infiltrate homes and garages. When it comes to electronic vehicles (EVs), this is a significant concern because:

• Water Damage: While electric cars are designed to handle certain levels of rain exposure, flooding poses a much greater threat. Submersion in water can damage the electrical components of the vehicle, particularly the battery system. Lithium-ion batteries can short circuit when exposed to water, leading to malfunction, fire hazards, or even explosion in severe cases.
• Electrocution Risk: If water reaches the battery pack, there is a risk of electrocution for anyone near the vehicle. The mixture of electricity and water is inherently dangerous, and submerged EVs may pose an unseen threat in a flooded garage.
• Fire Hazard: Floodwaters can cause a chemical reaction in lithium-ion batteries that increases the chance of thermal runaway—a condition where the battery overheats uncontrollably, potentially leading to a fire. This risk is compounded when the car is confined in an enclosed garage space.

Recommendation: Before a hurricane, move your electric vehicle to higher ground or an elevated, safe area where there is less risk of flooding. Keeping the vehicle outdoors in an area away from debris is preferable to leaving it in a garage that could flood.

Wildfires: Intense Heat and Combustion

In areas prone to wildfires, having an electric vehicle stored in your garage during such events can create a hazardous situation.

• Extreme Heat Sensitivity: Lithium-ion batteries are highly sensitive to heat. During a wildfire, the intense heat in the surrounding environment can cause the batteries to become unstable. If the temperature rises too high, the battery can overheat, leading to a condition known as thermal runaway.
• Combustion Risk: If the heat in the area becomes too intense, the battery could ignite. Lithium-ion batteries, once on fire, can be very difficult to extinguish. Worse, the fire from the vehicle could ignite other flammable items in the garage, leading to a more severe house fire.
• Toxic Fumes: If a lithium-ion battery does catch fire, it can release toxic fumes that are harmful to inhale. In a confined space like a garage, these fumes could quickly fill your home, posing serious health risks to anyone inside.

Recommendation: If there’s a wildfire threat, consider relocating your vehicle to a safe outdoor location far from your home. Ideally, park it in an area where the fire is less likely to spread, and ensure there is nothing flammable around it.

Earthquakes: Structural Damage and Battery Impact

While earthquakes may not directly trigger battery malfunctions, the structural damage they cause can increase the risk of accidents related to EVs stored in garages.

• Crushing or Impact Damage: Earthquakes can cause structural damage to your garage or home, leading to heavy debris falling on your car. Lithium-ion batteries are built with protective casings, but if these casings are punctured or compromised, the battery could short circuit or overheat.
• Gas Leaks and Electrical Fires: Earthquakes can also cause gas lines or other utilities to rupture. In the event of a gas leak, the presence of a damaged electric vehicle battery may exacerbate the situation. A short-circuiting battery in close proximity to gas or other flammable materials could lead to explosions or fires.

Recommendation: If you live in an earthquake-prone region, consider parking your EV in an open space, away from large structures or potential hazards, especially if a quake is forecast or if there are aftershocks from a recent earthquake.

Tornadoes: Wind Debris and Structural Collapse

Tornadoes are known for their fierce winds and flying debris, both of which can cause significant damage to homes, vehicles, and property.

• Flying Debris: During a tornado, the extreme wind speeds can turn everyday objects into dangerous projectiles. If your electronic vehicle is parked in the garage, large debris could break through the garage walls or ceiling, damaging the vehicle and potentially compromising the battery. Any damage to the battery housing increases the risk of a fire or explosion.
• Garage Collapse: If the tornado is strong enough to collapse your garage, your electric vehicle may be crushed. This impact could lead to significant battery damage, which, again, poses a risk of fire, especially when mixed with any electrical or gas systems within the garage.

Recommendation: Move your electric vehicle to a safe, open area outside, away from trees, power lines, and other objects that could become debris. Ideally, place it in a garage built to withstand tornadoes, or park it far away from any structures if that’s not available.

Blizzards and Extreme Cold: Battery Malfunction and Power Outages

While blizzards and cold weather events might not seem as immediately threatening as fires or floods, they can still have negative effects on lithium-ion batteries.

• Cold Weather Sensitivity: Lithium-ion batteries do not perform well in extreme cold. Parking your electric vehicle in an uninsulated garage during a severe winter storm may lead to performance issues or battery malfunction once temperatures drop significantly.
• Power Outages: During blizzards, power outages are common. If your vehicle is charging in the garage when the power fails, it could cause issues with the charging system, or even lead to battery stress or damage if the system fails abruptly.

Recommendation: In extreme cold, ensure your garage is insulated or heated to help protect the vehicle’s battery from freezing temperatures. Alternatively, park the vehicle outside where the cold air can circulate and avoid putting extra strain on the battery from sudden temperature shifts.

Final Thoughts

Electric vehicles (EVs)offer many advantages, but it’s important to be aware of the unique risks associated with their lithium-ion batteries during natural disasters. Whether it’s hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, or even blizzards, the safest option is often to move your EV to an open, secure location where it’s less likely to experience damage or pose a risk to your home.

By being proactive and understanding these potential hazards, you can protect not only your vehicle but also your home and family from unnecessary dangers during times of natural disaster.