A single electric car fire was enough to prompt the City Council of Calpe, Spain, to ditch its electric vehicle fleet. This move comes as a surprise, given the growing popularity of electric cars and their proven safety record.
In recent years, electric cars have become increasingly common on roads worldwide. Initially, there were concerns about their safety, particularly the risk of fires. However, data from the US Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that electric cars are no more prone to fires than their gas-powered counterparts. In fact, the numbers suggest that gas-powered cars are more likely to catch fire, with 1,530 fires per 100,000 vehicles, compared to just 25 fires per 100,000 electric cars.
Despite these statistics, the City Council of Calpe has decided to abandon its electric vehicle fleet due to a single incident. According to local news reports, one of the council’s electric cars caught fire while charging, prompting the council to announce that it will not renew its contract for electric vehicles.
The council’s president, Ana Sala, stated that the decision marks a shift in the council’s approach to transportation, which had previously emphasized the use of electric vehicles. Sala noted that the council will replace its electric cars with vehicles that use different propulsion technologies, such as gasoline, diesel, or hydrogen fuel cells.
This decision has raised questions about the council’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact. Many public administrations in Spain are actively working to decarbonize their transportation fleets, making Calpe’s decision to abandon electric vehicles all the more surprising.
The incident that prompted the council’s decision was reportedly an isolated one, and it is unclear what caused the fire. However, the council’s reaction has sparked debate about the safety and practicality of electric vehicles. As the world continues to transition towards more sustainable forms of transportation, incidents like this one serve as a reminder that there is still much work to be done to improve the public’s perception of electric cars.
What’s next for Calpe’s transportation fleet?
The City Council of Calpe has announced that it will begin phasing out its electric vehicle fleet in November, when the current contract expires. It remains to be seen what types of vehicles the council will choose to replace them with, but one thing is clear: the decision to abandon electric cars is a step backwards for the city’s environmental goals.
A look at the data
Here are some key statistics on electric car safety:
- 25 fires per 100,000 electric cars (US Department of Transportation)
- 1,530 fires per 100,000 gas-powered cars (US Department of Transportation)
- 3,475 fires per 100,000 hybrid cars (US Department of Transportation)
These numbers suggest that electric cars are no more prone to fires than other types of vehicles. However, the City Council of Calpe’s decision to abandon its electric vehicle fleet has raised questions about the safety and practicality of these cars. As the world continues to transition towards more sustainable forms of transportation, it is essential to consider the facts and make informed decisions about the best way forward.