Legal Liability Analysis for Automobile Fires – Legal Interpretation by Shenzhen Lawyers

On January 18, 2025, the website of the Ministry of Public Security released figures showing that the number of motor vehicles in China reached 453 million, including 353 million automobiles, with 31.4 million new energy vehicles. At the end of 2024, China’s population stood at 1,408.28 million, meaning that on average one in every four people owns a car. In the course of vehicle use, a fire, once it breaks out, often causes severe economic losses or casualties. According to statistics from fire departments, the period from May to October each year is the peak season for spontaneous vehicle fires, with passenger car fires accounting for the majority at over 40%; fires occurring while vehicles are in motion accounting for the majority at around 70%; and electrical short circuits being the leading cause at over 60%. I. How Many Types of Vehicle Accident Fires Are There? 1. Two-wheeled, three-wheeled, and four-wheeled electric vehicles (1) On April 16, 2025, the Henan Fire public account reported that an electric four-wheeled vehicle at a residence in Xiayi County, Shangqiu City, suddenly caught fire. Upon receiving the alarm, rescue personnel immediately rushed to the scene to handle the situation. (2) At around 14:00 on May 25, 2025, the Nanchang Fire public account reported that a low-speed electric vehicle fire occurred under the Hongteng Elevated Road in Qingyunpu District, Nanchang City. The electric vehicle was in motion when it caught fire, causing no casualties, with direct economic losses of approximately 1,100 yuan. Fire investigation determined the cause to be an electrical fault short circuit. The electric vehicle brand was Yadea, the battery was the original battery, and it had been purchased within the past 3 years. (3) On June 3, 2025, the Guizhou Fire public account reported that in May, the province recorded a total of 6 electric bicycle fires. By type of electric bicycle, there were 3 two-wheeled electric bicycles, 1 three-wheeled electric bicycle, and 2 four-wheeled electric bicycles. 2. Fuel vehicle fire accidents According to CCTV News, in 2024, the fire incident rate for new energy vehicles dropped from 1.85 per ten thousand in 2021 to 0.96 per ten thousand in 2023; meanwhile, the fire rate for fuel vehicles was around 1.5 per ten thousand. In addition, according to statistics from the National Fire and Rescue Administration, in the first quarter of 2023, there were 18,360 spontaneous combustion accidents involving fuel vehicles. Based on the fuel vehicle fleet of 317.71 million at that time, the fire rate was 0.58 per ten thousand. II. Combustion and Spontaneous Combustion 1. Combustion is an exothermic, luminous chemical reaction, usually accompanied by flames, light, and smoke. Combustion requires three essential conditions: combustible material, an oxidizing agent (oxidizer), and an ignition source (energy), commonly referred to as the “three elements of combustion.” Combustion is generally classified into four types based on the conditions of its formation and the characteristics of its instantaneous occurrence: ignition, spontaneous combustion, flash fire, and explosion. 2. Spontaneous combustion refers to the phenomenon in which, without the direct action of an external ignition source such as a spark or flame, a combustible material generates and accumulates heat due to heating or its own reactions, causing its temperature to rise continuously until it ignites on its own. Spontaneous combustion can be divided into two forms: chemical spontaneous combustion and thermal spontaneous combustion. ① Chemical spontaneous combustion. This type of ignition phenomenon usually does not require external heating but occurs at room temperature through the substance’s own chemical reactions, and is therefore customarily called chemical spontaneous combustion. For example, a match ignites when struck, explosives explode upon impact, sodium metal spontaneously combusts in air, and coal spontaneously combusts due to being piled too high. ② Thermal spontaneous combustion. If a mixture of a combustible material and an oxidizer is uniformly heated in advance, as the temperature rises, the mixture will automatically ignite when heated to a certain temperature. This mode of ignition is customarily called thermal spontaneous combustion. III. Classification of Causes of Automobile Fires 1. Electrical system: Fires caused by electrical faults such as short circuits, overcurrent, or poor contact in the vehicle’s electrical wiring or electrical equipment. 2. Fuel system: Fires caused by leaks of vehicle fuel, engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and other oils. 3. Exhaust system: Fires caused by contact between the high-temperature exhaust pipe and combustible materials. 4. Braking system: Fires in large truck tires caused by brake system failure or abnormal use. 5. Mechanical failure: Fires caused by early water ingress into the engine or by maintenance issues or defects leading to connecting rod fracture that punctures the cylinder wall, causing engine oil to leak out and ignite. 6. Arson and other factors: Fires caused by human arson, leftover embers, firecrackers, or external ignition sources igniting the vehicle. 7. Thermal runaway of high-voltage lines in new energy vehicles: New energy vehicles contain multiple high-voltage components, wiring harnesses, connectors, and the like. In addition to traditional fire causes, their ignition causes are more complex. When battery systems, power distribution systems, high-voltage wiring harnesses, and other components experience issues such as overcharging, overdischarging, internal short circuits, overheating, or damage caused by external impact, fire accidents may be triggered. Fires caused by electric vehicles themselves are generally the result of thermal runaway. After thermal runaway, the power battery releases toxic flammable gases, making combustion and explosion accidents likely. IV. Life-Saving Skills Every Vehicle Owner Should Know A small spark can start a prairie fire; prevention before ignition is key. Fire safety is as weighty as a mountain; protecting our homes depends on everyone. 1. Regularly maintain your vehicle: In accordance with the requirements of the vehicle owner’s manual, conduct comprehensive regular maintenance of the vehicle, including inspecting circuits, the fuel system, and mechanical components. Replace aged and damaged parts in a timely manner to ensure the vehicle remains in good operating condition. 2. Refuse unauthorized modifications: Do not arbitrarily modify the vehicle’s circuits, fuel system, or other components. If modification is truly necessary, be sure to choose a professional modification shop and ensure that the modification plan will not affect the vehicle’s safety performance. 3. Strictly prohibit placing flammable and explosive items in the vehicle: Do not place lighters, perfume, hairspray, or other flammable and explosive items in the vehicle. If they must be carried, be sure to take them with you when leaving the vehicle and avoid leaving them inside for extended periods. 4. Pay attention to driving habits: Avoid running the vehicle under high load for extended periods, especially in hot summers. If you notice abnormal odors, smoke, or other issues with the vehicle, stop immediately and inspect it. Do not take chances and continue driving. 5. Equip with fire extinguishing equipment: Equip the vehicle with a qualified fire extinguisher and learn how to use it correctly. At a critical moment, a fire extinguisher may become the key tool for saving the vehicle and lives. V. Beware of Battery Explosions When abnormal current and voltage, battery heating, deformation, electrolyte leakage, and pungent odors occur, beware of battery explosions. VI. Safety Lawyer’s Reminder Always firmly uphold the awareness of the safety red line. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized, “Human life is paramount, and development must never come at the cost of sacrificing people’s lives. This must be regarded as an insurmountable red line.” The prevention of automobile fires should start with the little things in daily life. Do not leave things to chance. Carefully carry out every vehicle maintenance and service, and navigate safely on the road ahead.