Responding to EV fires

By Melanie D’Ambrosio, Senior Scientific and Environment Officer, and Peter Hilhorst, MFS Commander Built Environment Section, South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service.

With the global requirement for low emissions transport to combat global warming, there has been a rapid uptake of electric vehicles in the new car market. This uptake of new technology is changing the way firefighters respond to road crash rescue and car fires.

An EV engine differs from an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) as it is powered by electricity stored in batteries, with the most common battery chemistry currently being lithium-ion, whereas ICE relies on burning fuel to generate power.

Fire and Emergency Services have well established training protocols and response procedures for attending incidents involving ICE vehicles

EVs utilising lithium-ion battery chemistry is a relatively new technology which poses different risks and challenges for firefighters in emergencies. Situations and incidents that may have previously been straightforward now have the complexities associated with high voltages and the challenging nature of battery related-fires that are difficult to extinguish.

The South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service’s (MFS) emergency response framework focuses on a comprehensive understanding of risks associated with vehicle accidents and fires, prioritising the protection of life, property and the environment.

When responding to EV fires that may be a result of crashes, internal malfunctions or deliberate acts, the MFS encounters unique challenges which fall outside of existing response measures.

The difficulties in extinguishing batteries directly involved in fire and managing the extended duration of the fire requires ongoing research, assessment of international techniques and development of procedures to mitigate this risk.

The MFS is proactively developing response procedures for incidents to adapt to this changing landscape.

Training

Training includes simple steps such as identifying the vehicle as an EV and immobilising the EV, as well as strategies to safely isolate the battery to enable the extrication of casualties without risk of electric shock.

Crews are being trained to identify and monitor potential physical damage to an EV’s battery as damage can trigger internal reactions leading to thermal runaway and, subsequently, the production of intense heat, large volumes of toxic gases and a battery fire.

The MFS acknowledges the expanding role of EV technology and anticipates its continual evolution with enhanced safety features and battery chemistries, which will benefit all first responders and the wider community.

The MFS will continue to adapt to these changes and collaborate with the community, other fire and rescue services, and government to navigate this changing environment, contributing to the collective efforts towards a carbon-neutral future.