Electrical Vehicles Under Scrutiny for Fire Risk

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) weighed in on the potential risk of fires in vehicles powered by lithium-ion batteries when they crash. The agency has carefully investigated an incident involving the test crashing of a Chevy Volt.  Investigators determined that the crash damaged the Volt’s lithium-ion battery, and that the damage led to a vehicle fire more than three weeks after the May 12 test.

The fire occurred at the New Car Assessment Program test facility, which sustained damage, but there were no injuries. It is still the only known case of a battery-related fire in an auto accident or crash test of vehicles powered by lithium-ion batteries. While noting that all vehicles, whether gas powered or electric, carry a risk of fire in a crash, NHTSA does not currently believe that the Volt or other electric vehicles are at a greater risk of fire than gasoline-powered vehicles.

Despite this public stance, the NHTSA did urge precautions in the event of a crash involving an electric vehicle, which included the following:

  • Emergency responders should keep in mind that a fire could occur for a considerable period after a crash, and should proceed accordingly.
  • Operators of tow trucks and vehicle storage facilities should ensure the damaged vehicle is kept in an open area instead of a garage or other enclosed building.
  • Vehicle owners should not store a severely damaged vehicle in a garage or near other vehicles.

The agency noted that the Department of Energy and the National Fire Protection Association are working together to ensure rescue workers know the risk of shock hazard with a damaged electrical vehicle. NHTSA has also asked all of the manufacturers of electrical vehicles to provide information on fire risk mitigation, and the protocols they have established for discharging and handling their lithium-ion batteries.

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