Sodium-ion batteries show promise as a cheaper, more resilient alternative to lithium-ion technology, but achieving market competitiveness will require major technological advances and supportive market conditions,

A fire at the world’s largest battery storage plant in Northern California smoldered Friday after sending plumes of toxic smoke into the atmosphere, leading to the evacuation of up to 1,500 people.

Then in September 2022, a fire broke out at the PG&E Elkhorn battery plant. Police closed Highway 1 for 12 hours. An investigation found it was caused by an improperly installed vent shield on one of the 256 units, which allowed rainwater to get in and short out the batteries. There were no injuries to firefighters, PG&E employees or the public.

After tumbling to record low in 2024 on the back of lower metal costs and increased scale, lithium-ion battery prices are expected to enter a period of stabilization.

“About 135 lithium-ion battery fires were reported in Massachusetts last year, and we believe the true number is even higher,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “When these batteries are abused, overcharged, overheated, or defective, they can fail rapidly and violently in a fire or explosion that also releases toxic, flammable gases.”

Hundreds of people were ordered to evacuate early Jan. 17 after a major fire erupted at one of the world’s largest battery storage plants.

A major fire Friday at one of the world's largest battery storage plants in Northern California sent up flames of toxic smoke, leading to the evacuation of 1,700 people and the closure of a major highway.

The number of New Yorkers killed in fires caused by lithium-ion batteries dropped significantly last year, according to the FDNY. Six people died in 2024, compared to 18 deaths in 2023 — a 67% decrease, officials said on Wednesday.

MOSS LANDING — Flames and smoke in the community of Moss Landing and the Elkhorn Slough area in northern Monterey County largely were just smoldering late Friday morning following a major fire at a battery storage plant that brought evacuations, closing Highway 1.

Fire crews are waiting for the flames to die out as lithium-ion batteries are tough to put out, as the flames continue to rise from the world’s largest lithium battery storage plant in California.

A fire at a one of the world’s largest battery plants in California contained tens of thousands of lithium batteries that store power from renewable energy sources