The rise of electric vehicles on the roads is driven by concern for the environment, as well as government policies with initiatives such as Low Emission Zones (ZBE).
In fact, the European Union has a ban on selling new cars with combustion engines, including hybrids, in 2035. In any case, these will be able to circulate until 2050. But this transition to electric vehicles comes with some challenges, the most notable being its charging.
There are more and more public places where we can see electric vehicle charging points, such as supermarkets and shopping centers. As well as its installation in parking lots of residential buildings. Although this makes the burden easier for the drivers of these cars, the truth is that we should not overlook the risk of fire that they bring with them.
Electric vehicle batteries are lithium-ion batteries that are at risk of catching fire from thermal runaway. This is a phenomenon by which the lithium-ion cell becomes excessively hot, causing the expulsion of gases, smoke and even fire.
A study published in the journal Fire Technology states that “thermal runaway or fire can occur as a result of extreme conditions of abuse that may be the result of faulty operation or traffic accidents. Battery failure can be accompanied by the release of toxic gases, fires, jet flames and explosions.”
In addition, the researchers add that electric vehicle battery fires are more difficult to extinguish than a fire in a vehicle powered by fossil fuels. This is because the burning battery pack inside is inaccessible and can reignite if it is not sufficiently cooled.
Another investigation carried out by the European Commission highlights that the rapid adoption of electric vehicles generates safety concerns and dangers, specifically regarding the risk of fires of these cars, which brings with it the “need to study comprehensive strategies for evaluating the fire risk designed to prevent and mitigate this type of incidents.”
If there is a risk of a single electric vehicle catching fire, the danger is even greater in the case of charging stations, where several cars of these characteristics are concentrated, increasing the probability that their batteries or the charging stations themselves will burn. overheat together or a fire in one of the cars affects the surrounding area. In addition, fires in closed spaces such as parking lots are more dangerous and difficult to extinguish than in open spaces.
All of this highlights the need to develop specific strategies to reduce fire risks in these facilities as much as possible, as well as have action plans for their rapid, safe and effective extinction.
