Electric Vehicles: A Strategic Vulnerability for Israel During Conflict

The recent escalation between Israel and Iran highlighted a potential vulnerability within Israel’s infrastructure: the presence of electric vehicles (EVs) at its ports. With the ongoing threat of air strikes and missile attacks, authorities recognized the potential for significant damage caused by EVs stored at key shipping hubs. A report emphasized the risk posed by EVs at the ports of Haifa and Ashdod, crucial entry points for the 20 million tons of cargo that pass through Haifa annually. The concern stemmed from the difficulty in extinguishing EV fires, which can quickly escalate due to thermal runaway, a process where individual battery cells ignite, leading to intense heat and potential widespread damage. The Israeli government subsequently instructed car importers to relocate EVs from port areas to mitigate this risk.