Explosive Batteries: What You Need To Know About Battery Safety

In this blog post we will dive into battery safety aspects and reveal the risks of lithium-ion batteries. What is behind the reports about explosive batteries in electric devices and vehicles?

What makes batteries dangerous?

Batteries can be dangerous for several reasons, primarily due to the chemicals and energy stored within them. Here are some of the key reasons why batteries can be hazardous:

Chemical reactions:
Batteries operate through chemical reactions that produce and store electrical energy. The chemicals used in batteries can be corrosive, toxic, or flammable. In the case of mishandling, damage, or overcharging, these chemicals can leak or react in an uncontrolled manner, leading to potential hazards.

Thermal runaway:
Overcharging or short-circuiting a battery can result in a rapid increase in temperature, causing a phenomenon known as thermal runaway. This can lead to the battery overheating and, in extreme cases, catching fire or even exploding. Lithium-ion batteries are particularly susceptible to this issue.

Electrical shock:
Batteries can generate high voltage and electrical current. Mishandling or improper use of batteries can lead to electrical shock, which can be hazardous to individuals.

Pressure buildup:
Some types of batteries, especially rechargeable ones, can build up internal pressure as a result of chemical reactions. If the battery is punctured, damaged, or exposed to high temperatures, the pressure can cause the battery to rupture or explode.

Toxic fumes:
When certain types of batteries are damaged or overheated, they can release toxic fumes. For example, alkaline batteries may emit potassium hydroxide, which is corrosive and harmful if inhaled or exposed to the skin.

Environmental impact:
The improper disposal of batteries, especially rechargeable ones containing heavy metals like cadmium, lead, or mercury, can harm the environment if these toxic materials leach into the soil or water.

Reports about explosive batteries

Reports about explosive batteries typically refer to incidents or cases where batteries, often lithium-ion batteries, have exploded or caught fire. Such incidents can have various causes and consequences, and they are a concern due to the potential dangers associated with battery explosions.

Explosive batteries on the airplane:

On November 2, 2023 the news channel NBC reported about a case where a portable phone charger exploded on a flight to Miami. The phone charger was stored in a backpack under a passenger’s seat when the explosion happened just before departure.

This was not the first time batteries cause danger on an airplane. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) publishes a list of Lithium Battery Air Incidents that involve smoke, fire or extreme heat.

Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used in many electronic devices. They are allowed in carry-on bags on planes when they pass the security check on the airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allows rechargeable batteries up to 100 Wh (watt-hours) without additional approval by the airline and up to 160 Wh with approval.

Explosive batteries in electric cars:

In general, battery explosions in electric vehicles are rare. According to an The Conversation article from September 14, 2023, the risk for petrol and diesel cars is at least 20 times higher.

However, there are frequent reports about electric vehicles catching fire, which result in very dangerous scenarios. In 95% of the cases the battery fire is ignition jet like with directional flames and the other 5% are vapor cloud explosions.

EV FireSafe released a study on June 30,2023 about passenger electric vehicle fire incidents. Between 2010-2023 there are globally 393 confirmed electric vehicle battery fires, which is only a percentage of 0.0012% of all passenger electric vehicles. Worldwide more than 10 million electric vehicles were sold in 2022 and that number is expected to increase to about 14 million for 2023.

How to avoid the risk of explosive batteries

Reports of explosive batteries often lead to concerns about safety and can prompt investigations into the specific circumstances of the incidents.

To minimize the risks associated with batteries, it’s essential to follow safety guidelines and recommendations provided by manufacturers. Proper storage, handling, and disposal of batteries are crucial to reducing potential dangers.

Additionally, advancements in battery technology continue to improve the overall safety of batteries. Manufacturers, regulatory agencies, and consumer safety organizations work to improve safety standards and educate consumers on how to use and store batteries safely. To minimize the risk of explosive batteries, it’s essential to follow safety guidelines, use genuine and high-quality batteries, and handle batteries with care.

If a battery exhibits signs of damage, overheating, or unusual behavior, it should be immediately disconnected and disposed of properly.

Conclusion

Batteries store high amounts of energy which is also connected to certain risks.
There are reports about explosive batteries in electronic devices and electric vehicles. However, lithium-ion batteries are generally safe if operated according to the manufacturer guidelines.
Safety standards for batteries continue to improve and advancements in battery technology can minimize the risks of fires and explosions.
It is important to use genuine and high-quality batteries that are tested and certified by the manufacturer.