Getting a handle on EV fires

EV fires

Long about a week ago, we did a piece attempting to debunk misinformation about EV fires: they are not common; electric vehicles (EVs) do not explode; etc. It was clear, however, that high-voltage lithium battery fires are very difficult to put out. So we set out to look for best practices.

They are: fire blankets and specialty water hose nozzles. We were surprised that foam is not in the picture.

When we first heard of fire blankets, we wondered if there would be an attempt to somehow remove and cover the battery. In truth, the blankets are used to cover the entire vehicle (right).

The fire blankets are large, heavy pieces of fire-resistant material designed to envelop burning EVs as well as hybrids. We had not heard that hybrids were an issue, but a lithium fire is a lithium fire.

The idea of the blanket is contain toxic fumes and to subdue the flames, preventing the spread of the fire to other vehicles. It isn’t mentioned, but the oxygen supply must at least be minimized when the vehicle is covered. Regardless, the car will very likely be a total loss.

A good demonstration of a fire blanket in use can be seen here.

In conjunction with this is the use of a specialized water hose nozzle that can be slid beneath an EV to at minimum cool down the burning battery. A hot battery can ignite or reignite if the flames have been extinguished. There are also piercing nozzles that can be inserted into the battery pack to deliver water directly to the cells. This can reduce water use, which can be a serious consideration.

Remember, typically in EVs the high-voltage lithium ion batteries make up the floor of the vehicle.

In the meantime, solid-state batteries are on the horizon, which replace flammable liquid electrolytes with non-flammable solid electrolytes. The future may hold a fire-free EV world.

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The material on these pages is provided for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

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