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Submission + - Fire crews receive special training to handle EV fires (bbc.co.uk)

Submitted by RockDoctor
RockDoctor writes: A BBC investigation reports on special training that UK Fire and Rescue Service staff are receiving to handle Electric Vehicle fires.

While [a hazardous materials specialist] stressed that EV fires are rare, they pose a challenge quite unlike a conventionally fuelled vehicle fire. [...] The batteries — the source of the fire — are often hard to reach, he says, and EV fires can create directional jet flames and vapour cloud explosions.

"Our preferred approach is to let them burn themselves out," says [the specialist].

Electric cars are also known to reignite "up to two or three weeks after the initial fire", says Mr Maher, meaning they have to be "quarantined" away from other vehicles even after the fire appears to have been put out.

The results of [Fire Service] searches show there were 59 electric vehicle fire references in 2022-23 across England — up from 30 the previous year.

[The UK Government's Home Office] recommended car parks increased the spacing between electric vehicles to reduce the risk of fires spreading between vehicles. Which will only increase the pressure to reduce all vehicle usage in town and city centres, as parking space is effectively reduced.

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