The Ministry of Emergency Situations warned about the risk of electric vehicles catching fire in the heat

The risk of electric vehicles catching fire in the heat increases due to the presence of batteries in their design, in particular lithium-ion batteries, which overheat. This was reported on July 21 by TASS with reference to the press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

The agency explained that the problem is related to the operation of traction batteries. After exceeding the operating temperature range, "degradation of battery characteristics and overheating up to ignition begin," the Ministry of Emergency Situations noted.

The main causes of electric vehicle fires are short circuits, overcharging (overload), and electrolyte breakdown. At the same time, the ignition of lithium-ion batteries is very difficult to extinguish with the fire extinguishing means available to drivers, the department said.

They also noted that the increase in the number of electric vehicles is directly related to the increase in the number of their fires. However, according to the results of the first half of 2025, vehicles in Russia burned 15% less frequently than in 2024.

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Earlier, on July 10, it was reported that 4,398 new electric vehicles were sold in Russia in the first half of 2025, which is 57% less than in January–June 2024. The decline in sales in this market segment has been observed for exactly one year — since July last year.

On June 17, it became known that the government of the Russian Federation adjusted the procedure for purchasing vehicles for state and municipal needs, setting a priority for environmentally friendly equipment. Instead of diesel and gasoline cars, government customers must now primarily purchase electric vehicles and vehicles powered by natural gas, the cabinet said.

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