Hidden danger in electric vehicle fires
Source: Middle East Insurance Review | Nov 2022
Fires in electric vehicle (EV) batteries can burn unseen. Firefighters can extinguish the visible flames in an EV fire, but chemicals inside the battery continue to burn because firefighters cannot reach the source, according to researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology.
According to a recent press release by the university, associate professor Dr Guang Xu said, “EV battery fires start with an uncontrolled chemical reaction inside the battery that releases a huge amount of heat and continues until the reaction has completed. Also, a chemical fire releases more toxic gases than a gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicle fire.”
Dr Xu said, “When parked, EVs are typically connected to a power source, which can start a fire and a faulty part could also start a fire, like spontaneous combustion in cell ‘phones.”
He said, mine operators are particularly concerned about EV battery fires because of mining’s growing use of EVs in everything from development to production. Miners could become trapped underground by an EV fire, which produces toxic amounts of hydrofluoric acid that can cause lung injury, pulmonary edema or death.
The fire risk transcends mining to city bus fleets, ships that carry EVs, airports and parking garages. Dr Xu said there is currently no standard procedure to calculate and prepare for risk. His research evaluates risk preparation to minimise human danger and property damage.
“The chemistries used for making batteries are combustible and bring a new source of fire risks. We want to develop preparation and mitigation standards to help EV users, firefighters and others know what to do,” he said. M