With the increasing popularity of electric cars in the UK, concerns about their safety, specifically regarding car fires, are arising.
While it is true that both petrol and diesel cars have the potential to catch fire (as demonstrated by past incidents such as the Vauxhall Zafira fires), electric vehicle (EV) fires tend to attract more attention.
How common are electric car fires?
Although electric car fires often make headlines, they are not actually common occurrences. According to Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions, there were 239 EV-related fires recorded in the UK between July 2022 and June 2023.
It is worth noting that while this shows an 83% increase compared to the previous year, the number has risen in line with the growing presence of electric vehicles on the roads.
In comparison, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service reported 1,898 fires from petrol and diesel vehicles in 2019, with only 54 fires from EVs.
Furthermore, a study conducted by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency revealed that petrol and diesel cars are 19 times more likely to catch fire than EVs.
Why do electric car fires attract so much attention?
Several factors contribute to the increased attention given to electric car fires. Firstly, the technology is still relatively new and therefore considered newsworthy. Additionally, EV fires tend to be complex incidents that are often accompanied by highly toxic fumes, distinctive hissing noises, and directed jets of flames, which may be followed by an explosion.
Moreover, extinguishing electric car fires can be extremely challenging. The fire may appear to be out, only to reignite hours, days, or even weeks later.
Considering these factors, it is understandable why electric car fires raise concerns, particularly among those responsible for firefighting.
How do fire crews handle EV fires?
Fire services are developing new strategies to handle electric car fires. For instance, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service announced that one of their fire engines will accompany the recovery vehicle back to their facility after an incident involving an EV to assist with any potential fires.
Moreover, the service has implemented a system to help fire crews identify the EV model involved in an incident and locate its battery and isolation switches.
Experts have differing opinions on the best approach to tackle an EV fire. Generally, the standard method involves using large amounts of water to cool the battery pack (although this may not prevent the fire from reigniting), a fire blanket to suppress flames, and breathing equipment to protect firefighters from toxic fumes. In some cases, allowing the fire to burn itself out is also a feasible approach.
Attempts to suffocate the fire using inert gases are typically ineffective since the fire does not require oxygen due to its chemical nature. Additionally, the surrounding area must be thoroughly examined for battery cells that may have been propelled from the pack during an explosion and could potentially ignite later.