“Many Floridians don’t realize that electric vehicles and scooters exposed to saltwater storm surge can pose a serious fire risk if their batteries are damaged,” Patronis said. “If your electric scooter or vehicle is in an area vulnerable to flooding or storm surge, move it to higher ground before the storm arrives. There are a lot of lithium-ion batteries around our tourist destinations, and they can pose a huge fire risk if exposed to saltwater. Get them out of harm’s way before the storm hits.”
Saltwater flooding and storm surge can damage lithium-ion batteries, creating a potential fire hazard even after floodwaters recede. Patronis is urging residents in flood-prone areas to move electric vehicles and scooters to higher ground before the storm arrives. These fires can be harder to put out and can reignite even after they appear to be extinguished.
Residents should:
- Move EVs and scooters to higher ground before flooding begins.
- Avoid putting vehicles or battery-powered devices in standing or moving water.
- Keep damaged batteries away from structures. If a battery-powered vehicle has been exposed to flooding or appears damaged, keep it away from homes, garages and other buildings.
- Pay attention to push notifications from your electric vehicle’s apps for important safety updates and instructions.
- Follow guidance from local emergency officials and fire departments.
