Electric vehicles (EV) have increased in popularity over the past several years. It has become increasingly common to observe electric cars driving through neighborhoods and city centers with local advertisements and national news outlets promoting the sale of these cars daily. However, these battery powered vehicles are no less prone to accidents than solely gas-powered vehicles, presenting distinct dangers that can occur from traffic accidents unlike those of conventional cars.[1] First responders are adapting to these new problems along with legislatures addressing bills to further first responder training.
Rising Popularity of Electric Vehicles
The growth of electric cars is global. In 2024, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that 17 million electric vehicles were sold worldwide, with a majority of sales to consumers in China, Europe, and the United States.[2] Within the United States, in 2024 the total sale of electric cars, including both battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), amounted to about 1.6 million.[3] In 2014, the United States’ electric car sales totaled about 0.2 million, indicating that in the past ten years, such sales have increased by 70%.[4]
Dangers of EV Battery Fires
A rising demand for electric vehicles generates the rising necessity for electric car batteries. The most common electric car battery is the lithium-ion battery, as they “have a high power-to-weight ratio, high energy efficiency, good high-temperature performance, long life, and low self-discharge.” [5] However, when this device is exposed to extreme heat or subjected to a collision, the battery can ignite.[6]When the lithium-ion battery’s temperature increases to over 20%, the excessive heat accelerates the battery’s reaction.[6] This chain reaction can produce thermal runaway, which may cause the battery to catch fire.[7]
Thermal runaway from electric vehicle car accidents has environmental and human health impacts.[8] During a study conducted by the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, researchers discovered “during an electric [car] fire, more than 100 chemicals are released.”[9] Controlling these fires can take several hours, which prolongs exposure of toxins to first responders and the environment.[10]
Chemical fires require more time and sufficient water to extinguish compared to gas-powered vehicle fires.[11] Due to the increased demand for more time and water, dangers of contaminated water runoff and reignition can occur from the pursuit to extinguish car battery fires.[12] Thousands of gallons of water are required to mitigate electric car fires, with an average of “90 minutes or more to suppress an electric vehicle fire (versus about 500 gallons and 30 minutes, respectively, for a gas or diesel vehicle).”[13] When these chemicals mix into the water runoff, hazardous chemicals can leach into the surrounding ecosystem.[14]Reignition poses another common concern after an accident.[15] The battery itself may still retain a charge or contain heat from the initial accident, which can induce the battery to reignite post-accident.[16]
First Responders Protocol to EV Battery Fires
While there is no centralized legislation concerning first responders training or action in the case of an electric car fire, organizations on both the national and local level have provided EV-related content and training. A few notable resources include the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the National Fire Protection Association. These resources provide guidance on handling EV incidents, training opportunities, and post-accident response protocol.[17]
The most current piece of potential legislation regarding the resources for first responders in EV safety comes from Oregon Senator Ron Wyden. [18] He introduced the SAFER EVs Act to the US Senate in June of 2024. [19] The goal of this act is to “require the federal Department of Energy, the federal Department of Transportation, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate efforts on EV safety and testing standards while providing first responders with proper training.”[20] As of now, the bill is referred to the Committee of Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for review.[21]If this bill is passed, it will provide additional funding to State Fire Training Grants for EV-specific training, require guides and reports from applicable organizations regarding EV advancements and emergency response, and potentially reduce the harmful risks of car battery fires on the road. [22]
Conclusion
As electric vehicles become more prevalent, it is important to understand the side effects that are attached. Like gas powered vehicles, there are serious consequences that can occur from electric vehicle crashes. As first responder knowledge strengthens on the risks of electric car fires, they become better equipped to extinguish these problems. Overall, as electric vehicle popularity grows, our society must also grow to mitigate their risks.
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