Over the past five years, the number of fire and explosion accidents involving electric vehicles has seen a significant increase, raising concerns about the safety of these vehicles. According to the Korea Insurance Development Institute, the frequency of such accidents has risen from 0.78 to 0.93 per 10,000 electric vehicles in just one year. This uptick in accidents has also been accompanied by a higher level of damage, with electric vehicles experiencing 1.9 times more costly repairs than non-electric vehicles.
One of the key factors contributing to the higher damage costs for electric vehicles is the expensive nature of their components. High-voltage batteries, electronic control devices, and sensors are all costly to replace or repair, leading to an average damage cost of 13.14 million won per fire or explosion accident. In comparison, non-electric vehicles only incur an average of 6.93 million won in damages for similar incidents. The Korea Insurance Development Institute attributes this disparity to the complexity and cost of electric vehicle parts, as well as the longer repair times associated with these components.
Despite the higher damage costs, the overall accident frequency for electric vehicles is also higher than that of non-electric vehicles. Electric vehicles experience about 25% more accidents, including fire and explosion incidents, than their non-electric counterparts. This increased accident rate can be attributed to several factors, including the longer driving distances typically covered by electric vehicles due to their fuel efficiency, as well as their rapid acceleration capabilities.
In terms of total accidents, electric vehicles have a rate of 1,096 accidents per 10,000 vehicles, compared to approximately 880 accidents per 10,000 non-electric vehicles. The average damage per accident for electric vehicles is 2.96 million won, which is 66% higher than the average damage for non-electric vehicles. These statistics highlight the need for increased safety measures and precautions when it comes to electric vehicles, in order to mitigate the risks associated with their higher accident rates and damage costs.
In conclusion, the rise in fire and explosion accidents involving electric vehicles over the past five years is a cause for concern. The higher frequency of accidents, coupled with the increased damage costs, underscores the importance of prioritizing safety and implementing measures to prevent such incidents. As electric vehicles continue to grow in popularity, it is crucial for manufacturers, insurers, and drivers to work together to ensure the safety and reliability of these vehicles on the road.