With more than 80% of Canadians choosing to charge their EVs at home, many are increasingly installing Level 2 chargers in their garages — a faster, more efficient charging option than the standard Level 1 plug-in, with some provinces offering a rebate for installing home chargers.
EV Garage Fire Risk at a Glance:
- Gas-powered vehicles catch fire far more often than electric vehicles, but EV battery fires can reach extreme temperatures of 1,000–1,200°C, making them harder to extinguish and potentially more damaging to structures.
- Lithium-ion battery fires may require up to 40 times more water to cool the battery casing and stop thermal runaway.
- Because most Canadians charge their EVs at home, fires that occur during charging may start inside garages or other enclosed spaces, increasing the risk of structural damage to homes.
- Coverage may apply to fire damage caused by an EV charger, subject to the policy wording, cause, exclusions and installation details.
- However, many policies do not automatically cover the charger itself if it fails or is damaged, so homeowners should confirm coverage details with their insurer.
Do EVs or Level 2 Chargers Make a Garage Harder to Insure?
Having an EV, a charger, or recent electrical upgrades doesn’t necessarily make it harder to insure your garage, but insurers may ask about these factors. Coverage depends on your specific policy terms and circumstances.
While having a professional install your charger reduces electrical risks and provides proof of meeting Ontario’s requirements, it doesn’t ensure coverage.
Understanding the EV Fire Risk Debate
While EVs are no more likely to catch fire than their gas-powered counterparts, if they do, the damage can be more severe and fires harder to contain.
There is no Canadian database on vehicle fires, including those involving EVs, says the National Research Council, but data from the U.S. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) shows that while regular internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in the U.S. catch fire on average every two to three minutes. Meanwhile, there were only 511 verified EV battery fires globally between 2010 and June 2024, says EV FireSafe.
Verified global EV lithium-ion battery fires (2010-June 2024)
| Outside & Driving | Outside & Parked | Underground/ enclosed spaces | Unknown |
|---|---|---|---|
| 155 | 173 | 117 | 67 |
Source: EV FireSafe
At the same time, when fires do involve EVs, they pose unique challenges for firefighters.
What Makes EV Fires Different?
Fires in lithium-ion batteries, including those in EVs, can happen for several reasons, says the NFPA, including physical damage, electrical damage such as overcharging or using charging equipment not designed for the battery and product defects.
When there is a fault in a lithium-ion battery, either caused by an internal or external factor, there is a risk that they can enter into an uncontrollable self-heating state called ‘thermal runaway,’ according to Underwriters Laboratories Inc. This can lead to extreme temperatures of 1000-1200℃, smoke and/or ejection of shrapnel or hydrogen fluoride gas and fires that can burn for hours or even days.
As batteries inside EVs are sealed in metal containers, says the NFPA, up to 40 times more water may be required to cool the metal casing to eventually stop thermal runaway.
In some Canadian cities, garage fires account for a notable percentage of residential fires — and because they often store flammable material such as paint, oily rags or propane tanks, they can spread faster and more uncontrollably.
If a fire is caused by thermal runaway, high, sustained temperatures can cause significant damage to a garage and the attached home, weakening the structural integrity of concrete and steel.
Read More: Read About the Hidden Costs of Owning an Electric Car
Do Level 2 Chargers Affect Home Insurance?
Most standard home insurance policies will cover damage caused by a Level 2 EV charger, but coverage details depend on the policy and how the charger was installed. Many home policies may cover damage involving a Level 2 charger, subject to their terms. Insurers may require proof that the equipment is certified and properly installed by licensed professionals.
The risk of fire while charging an EV is rare. According to research from EV FireSafe, approximately 15% of EV battery fires occur while connected to charging or within an hour of being disconnected from charging.
It is also a misconception that charging itself increases the risk of an EV battery fire, they note, especially while using an electrically compliant unit that has been professionally installed to standard.
Most charging-connected battery fires are caused by previous damage, whether collision, recall or exposure to another fire.
Fires that result from improperly installed Level 2 chargers or damage caused by misuse may result in denial of claims.
Read More: See How an EV Charger Can Affect Home Insurance
Ontario Installation and Record Checklist
- Select charging equipment with a Canadian approval mark. Don’t just choose equipment with a recognizable brand name or one advertised for sale in Canada.
- If you hire someone to do electrical work, Ontario regulations require you to use a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
- Determine the charger level, safe amperage, electrical service upgrade needs and other considerations based on your home’s electrical capacity. Level 2 charging typically requires a 240-volt circuit.
- Make sure the required ESA permit is filed before electrical work begins.
- Keep the contract, invoice, make and model number, serial number, notification, inspection result and ESA Certificate of Acceptance.
- Contact your insurer or broker to discuss the installation.
- Follow safety, recall and service instructions for the charger and EV. Remove the charger from service if it’s damaged, overheating, discoloured or repeatedly trips the breaker.
- If you see smoke or fire, leave the garage and call 911. Don’t re-enter to retrieve the charging cable or move the vehicle.