Video: EV fires spark interest

New Zealand’s first responders have been briefed on EV fire safety by two Australian experts.

E-mobility advocacy group Drive Electric brought EV FireSafe’s Emma Sutcliffe and Dan Fish, both operational fire fighters, here this month to talk to first and second responders from fire to tow and salvage through to the automotive sector about battery fires which need specialised knowledge and training.

More than 110,000 EVs are on New Zealand roads – and growing – so Drive Electric aims to keep communities safe and well prepared for EV expansion.

The potential for fires involving EVs, particularly those related to high-voltage lithium-ion batteries, grab attention even though EVs are statistically safer than their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts, says Drive Electric.

It says EV fires are up to 20 times less likely to happen than ICE car fires and that the main causes of EV fires tend to be road collisions or impact with road debris, followed by exposure to another fire, then submersion in salt water.

About 15% of EV battery fires occur while the vehicle is connected to charging, and the average household has up to 33 lithium-ion batteries in digital devices, power tools and more, says Drive Electric, noting the workshops and other sessions were popular.

Meanwhile, Drive Electric added a few new posts on social media for World EV Day on September 9.