News of electric vehicle (EV) fires in parking lots or garages often sparks panic, but data paints a more nuanced picture for European drivers. In 2024, EVs accounted for over 30% of new car sales in the EU. As EV adoption continues to surge, understanding the real fire risk, frequency, and how to protect your home has never been more critical.
This article uses hard data, EU regulations, and practical safety solutions to debunk common myths while guiding you on preventing potential garage fire hazards.
Key Data: EVs Are Far Less Likely to Catch Fire Than Combustion Engine Vehicles
First, a crucial conclusion: In Europe, EVs carry a significantly lower fire risk than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Here’s the evidence:
- According to 2022 data from Sweden’s Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), the fire rate for EVs was just 0.004%, compared to 0.08% for petrol and diesel cars—meaning ICE vehicles are 20 times more likely to catch fire. Its statistics covered over 610,000 new energy vehicles and 4.36 million ICE vehicles nationwide, with only 24 EV fires reported all year, versus 3,400 for ICE vehicles.
- Norway, Europe’s leader in EV adoption (90% of new car sales are EVs), saw 4–5 times more fires in ICE vehicles than EVs, according to annual reports from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens Vegvesen).
- Even in the UK, where the number of EV fires rose by 77% from 2022 to 2024 (from 131 to 232 incidents), this growth was outpaced by EV adoption. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reports that the total number of EVs in the UK more than doubled during the same period.
Why the difference? ICE vehicles carry over 50 liters of highly flammable petrol, which ignites at just 246°C. EVs rely on lithium-ion batteries, which only pose fire risks under specific conditions.
Causes of EV Fires and Risks in Europe
While EV fires are rare, they require attention—lithium-ion battery fires have unique characteristics, including the potential to enter “thermal runaway,” releasing flammable gases and reigniting even after being extinguished. In Europe, the main causes of EV fires are:
- Battery damage: A 2024 survey by the European Fire Safety Alliance (EFSA) found that 76% of EV fires stemmed from external damage (e.g., collisions, debris piercing the battery pack). This risk is rising in urban areas with limited parking space.
- Manufacturing defects: 18% of fires were linked to faulty battery cells (for example, 2024 reports suggested a Mercedes EQE fire in Asia may have been related to issues with its battery supplier).
- Charging issues: Only 6% of fires were caused by charging, but Germany’s Federal Association of the Energy and Water Industry (BDEW) notes that unsafe home charging practices—such as using uncertified cables—increase the risk by more than 3 times.
- Arson: This cause is on the rise in Europe, often linked to political or environmental protests targeting high-profile EV brands.
What concerns European homeowners most? Garage fires. A 2024 EV fire in an underground garage in Hamburg, Germany, showed that a single EV fire could damage over 140 nearby vehicles and disrupt power for an entire community. The EU has now introduced new regulations imposing stricter fire safety requirements on residential garages with EV charging facilities.
Recent EV Fire Incidents in Europe: Context Matters
Headlines often amplify rare EV fires, but context reveals the full story:
- March 2025, Berlin, Germany: Four EVs were deliberately set on fire in two separate neighborhoods overnight. According to AFP reports citing Berlin police, the arson was linked to political backlash after the brand’s CEO expressed support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, with nearby non-EV vehicles also damaged. This incident was not caused by battery defects or charging issues, highlighting the role of external human factors in high-profile fire cases.
- August 2024, Grünheide, Germany: A fire broke out in the battery workshop in Berlin factory, caused by 512 battery cells falling from a conveyor belt and igniting. Battery packaging and wiring operations were temporarily suspended. NetEase News, citing local environmental agency reports, stated no injuries occurred and the fire was contained to the conveyor system—proving the effectiveness of the factory’s emergency response system.
- 2024, Mediterranean Shipping Route: A roll-on/roll-off cargo ship carrying 4,000 vehicles (with an undisclosed number of EVs) caught fire and sank. Initial reports blamed EVs, but the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) later issued a statement clarifying there was no evidence linking EVs to the blaze. It also noted that EVs are no more prone to fires than ICE vehicles in shipping scenarios.
EU and German Regulations: Localized Safety Standards for EVs
EU-wide regulations set a baseline, but Germany—aiming to handle its rapidly growing EV fleet (the Federal Motor Transport Authority targets 15 million registered EVs by 2030, while the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy predicts it may reach 9 million)—has introduced stricter localized rules:
German Regulations for Garages and Charging Infrastructure
- 2025 Updated Building Codes: New residential buildings with 10 or more parking spaces are required to install cable protection ducts to support future EV charging needs—ensuring wiring is fire-resistant and separated from flammable materials. For non-residential buildings (e.g., apartment complexes, offices) with 20 or more parking spaces, at least one functional charging point must be installed by 2025.
- Garage Fire Separation Requirements: In multi-vehicle garages common in German apartment buildings, EVs must be separated by 1-hour fire-resistant walls or maintain a minimum distance of 1.8 meters. In attached garages of single-family homes, heat detectors must be installed within 1 meter of charging points.
- Mandatory Charging Safety Rules: All home charging points must comply with EU CE certification standards and include automatic power cutoff in case of faults. Using uncertified cables or modified charging points can result in fines of up to €5,000.
EU-Wide Baseline Regulations
- UN Global Technical Regulation (GTR) 20 (2024 Revision): Requires EV batteries to withstand thermal runaway for at least 5 minutes, providing enough time for occupants to escape. Germany was among the first EU countries to adopt this regulation as a mandatory national standard, with all new EVs sold domestically required to comply.
- Fire Detection Standards: EU Standard EN 54-22 mandates that garages with EV charging facilities use combined heat/flame detectors (not just smoke alarms). Germany enforces this strictly through local building inspections.
Securing Your Garage: An Unmissable Safety Step
Even with Germany’s strict regulations, residential garages still have safety gaps:
- Standard heat detectors trigger at 58°C, but lithium-ion battery fires can reach 1,000°C in seconds—making standard detectors too slow to respond.
- EV fires produce little smoke during thermal runaway, so smoke alarms often fail to detect them effectively.
- Incidents like arson or accidental damage (e.g., a dropped tool piercing the battery) can bypass the safety features built into EVs.
Professional flame detection equipment is therefore essential—especially for German drivers who must comply with strict regulatory requirements.
Wisualarm: EV Garage Protection Compliant with German and EU Standards
Wisualarm’s flame detection cameras are designed to meet German and EU CE certification standards, addressing both accidental fires and arson risks:
1. Early Detection of Battery Fires and Arson
Using dual visual and thermal imaging technology, they can detect flames in 0.3 seconds—faster than standard detectors—alerting you before smoke or high temperatures trigger conventional devices. This is critical for preventing lithium-ion battery fires and arson (e.g., lit debris near charging points).
2. Features Tailored to German Scenarios
- EU CE-Certified Compatibility: Seamlessly integrates with German-certified charging points, automatically cutting power if a flame is detected to avoid fines for non-compliance.
- Apartment Garage Ready: Supports wireless interconnection of up to 24 devices, ideal for multi-vehicle garages in German apartment buildings. Alerts are sent to both homeowners and property managers.
3. Low-Maintenance Design for German Lifestyles
- Weatherproof construction withstands Germany’s cold winters and humid summers.
- Equipped with a 10-year sealed battery, aligning with Germans’ preference for “install-and-forget” safety solutions.
Pairing it with Wisualarm’s smoke-sensing cameras fully meets EU Standard EN 54-22, ensuring easy passage of German building inspections.
Conclusion: EVs Are Safe, But Proactive Compliance and Protection Are Needed
EV fires remain rare in Europe, but German regulations adopt a “prevention-first” approach, setting higher safety standards. Incidents like the Berlin arson attacks and factory battery fires remind us that protection must cover both technical failures and human-induced risks.
Wisualarm’s flame detection cameras bridge the gap between Germany’s strict regulations and real-world risk protection. Whether it’s a battery fault or deliberate damage, they detect fires at the source—turning compliance from a burden into peace of mind.
Ready to upgrade your German garage’s safety? Visit Wisualarm’s German website to explore EU-certified protection kits—and enjoy worry-free EV driving.
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