Firefighters across the U.S. are facing a new challenge as electric vehicle fires prove far more difficult to control than traditional car blazes. The phenomenon known as “thermal runaway” is making these incidents more dangerous and harder to extinguish, raising urgent concerns for fire departments and automakers alike.
Why EV Fires Are So Hard to Control
When an electric vehicle catches fire, the issue often stems from a process called thermal runaway. This occurs when the protective casings around a car’s lithium-ion batteries fail, leading to overheating and ignition. Unlike gasoline fires, these blazes don’t just burn—they spread internally from battery to battery.
Once thermal runaway starts, it’s nearly impossible to stop with traditional firefighting techniques. Water, foam, and extinguishing agents that work on gas-powered car fires are far less effective against the intense, self-sustaining heat generated by EV battery cells.
Firefighters Are Testing New Methods
Fire departments are scrambling to find solutions. In Colorado Springs, crews recently turned to an unconventional approach: fire blankets. After determining an EV fire was too dangerous to extinguish on-site, firefighters wrapped the car in a fire-resistant covering and had a specialized towing company move it to a secure location to burn out safely.
- Fire blankets help contain heat and prevent flames from spreading.
- Specialized towing services are being deployed for EV-related emergencies.
- Some departments are considering designated burn-out zones for EV fires.
Lieutenant Wanderscheid of the Colorado Springs Fire Department acknowledged that the situation is evolving rapidly. “It’s going to be a continuing conversation in the fire service internationally and nationally. It’s in all the trade magazines and all the discussion on how to fight these fires safely and effectively,” he said.
EV Manufacturers Are Getting Involved
Automakers are also working to mitigate the risks. Several companies are exploring new techniques to stop thermal runaway before it fully ignites. One promising approach involves flooding the battery pack with water early in the process. However, the challenge lies in getting water inside the casing before the fire spreads.
| Proposed Solution | Effectiveness | Challenges |
|---|---|---|
| Fire blankets | Containment only | Doesn’t fully extinguish flames |
| Flooding batteries | Potentially effective | Requires early detection |
| Special foam agents | Limited effectiveness | High costs, not widely available |
As more EVs hit the road, fire departments, automakers, and researchers will need to work together to refine firefighting strategies. The industry is still in the early stages of understanding how to tackle these unique fires safely.
