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 and 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 often results in severe economic losses or casualties. According to statistics from fire departments, the peak period for vehicle spontaneous combustion is from May to October each year. Passenger cars account for the majority of such fires, at over 40%; fires occurring while vehicles are in motion account for the majority, at around 70%; and electrical short circuits are the leading cause, accounting for over 60%. I. Types of Vehicle Fire Accidents 1. Two-wheel, three-wheel, and four-wheel electric vehicles (1) On April 16, 2025, the Henan Fire Department’s official WeChat account reported that a residential household’s electric four-wheel vehicle suddenly caught fire in Xiayi County, Shangqiu City. After 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 Department’s official WeChat 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. The direct economic loss from the fire was approximately 1,100 yuan. Investigation determined the cause to be an electrical fault short circuit. The electric vehicle brand was Yadea, the battery was the original battery, and the purchase was made within the past 3 years. (3) On June 3, 2025, the Guizhou Fire Department’s official WeChat account reported that in May, the province recorded a total of 6 electric bicycle fires. By type of electric bicycle, there were 3 two-wheel electric bicycles, 1 three-wheel electric bicycle, and 2 four-wheel electric bicycles. 2. Fuel vehicle fire accidents According to CCTV News, in 2024, the fire incident rate for new energy vehicles decreased from 1.85 per ten thousand in 2021 to 0.96 per ten thousand in 2023. At the same time, the fire rate for fuel vehicles remained at 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 ownership 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, luminescent chemical reaction, usually accompanied by flames, light, and smoke. Combustion requires three essential conditions: a combustible material, an oxidizing agent (oxidizer), and an ignition source (energy), commonly referred to as the “three elements of combustion.” Based on the conditions of formation and the characteristics of instantaneous occurrence, combustion is generally classified into four types: 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 sparks or flames, a combustible material generates and retains 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. — 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 conventionally called chemical spontaneous combustion. For example, matches igniting from friction, explosives detonating upon impact, sodium metal spontaneously combusting in air, and coal spontaneously combusting due to being piled too high. — Thermal spontaneous combustion. If a mixture of a combustible material and an oxidizer is uniformly heated in advance, then as the temperature rises, the mixture will ignite automatically when heated to a certain temperature. This mode of ignition is conventionally 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 leakage of vehicle fuel, engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and other oils. 3. Exhaust system: Fires caused by contact between high-temperature exhaust pipes and combustible materials. 4. Braking system: Fires involving large truck tires caused by braking system failure or abnormal use. 5. Mechanical failure: Fires caused by engine water ingress at an early stage or maintenance issues, defects, and other problems leading to connecting rod fracture that breaks through the cylinder wall, causing engine oil to leak and ignite. 6. Arson and other factors: Fires caused by deliberate arson, leftover ignition sources, 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 other parts. 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, overtemperature, or damage caused by external impact, fire accidents may occur. Fires caused by electric vehicles themselves are generally the result of thermal runaway. After thermal runaway, the power battery releases toxic combustible gases, making combustion and explosion accidents likely. IV. Lifesaving 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 and service the vehicle: In accordance with the vehicle owner’s manual, conduct comprehensive regular maintenance, including inspection of circuits, the fuel system, and mechanical components. Replace aging 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 parts. 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 operating the vehicle under high load for extended periods, especially in hot summers. If abnormal odors, smoke, or other issues are detected, stop immediately and inspect the vehicle. Do not take chances and continue driving. 5. Equip the vehicle 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 irritating 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 expense of 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.
