Why this photo exposes a hidden danger of not recharging an EV properly

An electric car has gone up in flames after its owner tried to recharge the battery with a dodgy cable setup.

Fire Rescue Victoria urged EV owners to use proper chargers after a Nissan Leaf e+ burst into flames at 9.11am in Glen Waverley, Melbourne , on September 24.

Five rescue teams arrived at the home and safely evacuated two adults and a dog from the home before extinguishing the flames.

Crews wore breathing apparatus to battle the blaze and the scene was deemed under control within five minutes of their arrival.

The fire burnt out the interior of a two-car garage, leaving only the hull of the Nissan intact and damaged the owner's Genesis luxury sedan which was parked next to it.

The Fire Investigation Unit determined the fire was caused by an aftermarket charger which was connected to a household power point via a travel adaptor.

Nissan's Australian website warns that aftermarket cables can be used on its cars, but advises owners to purchase theirs from a certified Nissan EV dealer.

The carmaker does not include a cable designed for home charging via a household power with its Leaf e+.

Fire Rescue Victoria warned EV owners on social media to be especially cautious with what equipment to use when charging the car.

'FRV would like to remind the community about the risks of using incompatible charging equipment following an electric vehicle (EV) fire,' FRV wrote.

'To minimise your risks of a fire caused by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, FRV recommends purchasing products from a reputable supplier and follow the manufacturer's instructions, only using chargers and cords that are originally supplied with the device [and] checking that chargers have the Regulatory Compliance Mark, to show that they meet the relevant Australian Standards.'

Genuine EV chargers can cost as much as $500 while third party aftermarket chargers can be listed for as cheap as $120 on online marketplaces.

The danger with aftermarket chargers is their difference in energy output which can ignite fires if a cable is providing an incorrect power delivery to an EV.

EVs, like e-bikes and e-scooters, contain rechargeable lithium ion batteries which FVR warns are 'more volatile than traditional batteries'.

'Only use chargers and cords that are originally supplied with that device,' the FRV website warns.

'Using chargers with incorrect power delivery (voltage and current) can cause damage to the battery or overheating that can lead to fires.'