Lithium ion batteries can be a fire risk, yes. But cheap ones in household devices (phones, charging packs, *toys*) are much riskier than the ones in EVs, according to Colin Peacock;
https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/mediawatch?share=0fc8e854-476a-4b94-a849-ecfac17b8e35
Lithium ion EV batteries are probably no riskier than a tank of extremely explosive fuel. Certainly not risky enough to justify a regressive crusade against EVs in general, which these days may have nonexplosive sodium ion batteries.
Me:
> Lithium ion EV batteries are probably no riskier than a tank of extremely explosive fuel
I stand corrected;
"... we're talking about more than an order of magnitude less risk, so at least 20 times less risk associated with EVs than conventional cars."
#DrTroyBailsden, Co-President, NZ Association of Scientists, 2025
https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/mediawatch?share=0fc8e854-476a-4b94-a849-ecfac17b8e35