What to Know About Electric Vehicle Safety

Electric vehicles (EVs) were once a rare sight. Now, we regularly pass them on highways and park next to them at shopping centers. There are over 8 million new EVs being produced and sold annually today. This number is projected to hit 30 million per year by 2030, and as states mandate EV usage, growth will only accelerate. As promising as EVs are for the future of our environment, as with any new technology it’s important to analyze EV losses to identify and mitigate associated risks.

Fire Hazard

A key concern with EVs is fire from lithium batteries.

One of the earliest warnings on the fire hazard of lithium batteries was the Federal Aviation Administration’s action regarding the use of personal electronics on commercial aircraft. This policy was established due to the spontaneous fire exposure risks that first-generation lithium batteries presented.

The most recent reported fire exposure problem from lithium batteries comes from the growing E-bike industry.

The National Law Review recently published a warning of a “recent surge in electric bike fire in New York City,” listing four causes of fires from the lithium batteries in E-bikes: design flaws; battery damage; exposure to heat; and use of the wrong charger. Storing and charging electric bikes and scooters in homes and apartments thus exposes occupants to a potential severe fire risk.

In the last 18 months, there were over two dozen lithium fires investigated in New York City public housing buildings. The increased frequency and severity of scooter and E-bike fires has led the New York City Housing Authority to consider a ban of these vehicles in public housing.

Some safe practices when charging E-bikes are as follows:

• Only use the original equipment manufacturer’s battery charger.
• Do not charge a battery near any combustible material, including carpeting and drapes.
• Do not use damaged batteries.
• Avoid overcharging batteries.
• Ensure that the area where batteries are being charged is equipped with a fire detection system.
• Choose batteries and charging equipment that is Underwriters Laboratory listed.

EV Fire Problem

For electric automobiles, the fire problem is more internal. The size of the batteries in EVs, as well as the combustible materials that make up the automobile, provide both a fuel source and source of ignition.

Electric automobile fires can be very difficult to extinguish, and water can have little firefighting impact. Vehicles have been observed in some cases to reignite after they have been towed away.

Although codes have not caught up to technology, we can use common sense in the placement of battery chargers and EV parking. Vehicles should be parked away from combustible structures or other vehicles, especially when charging. If an EV is in an accident, an immediate inspection of its electrical system and batteries is necessary and highly recommended. Any impact could damage the battery and/or electrical system, leaving the EV more vulnerable to ignition.

Parking and charging in a location firefighters can easily access is also advisable.

If getting the hose streams to the vehicle is too difficult, it will burn uncontrolled and potentially ignite adjacent materials. Automobiles parked in the vicinity could also ignite, creating a domino effect if not immediately extinguished.

Safety Standards

Safety standards have been established to reduce the chance of fire or electrical injury. Article 625 of the National Electrical Code provides standardization for the charging of electric vehicles. In addition, Underwriters Laboratory has two standards, UL 2202 and UL 2594, expressly for electric vehicles. UL 2202 is a standard for charging systems and UL 2594 classifies the charging systems as level I or level II charging equipment safety. A level I system is a slower charger of 110 V and a level II is a faster charger at 220 V.

There are many other electrical standards for testing and safety that influence the proper design and maintenance of charging systems. They cover cords and cables, grounding, power storage, and more.

Always look for the UL label.

Shock or electrocution exposure also are risks. It does not take much electricity to harm an individual, whether in the form of burns or cardiac arrest. Between 1 and 4 Amps, a person can get severely burned and/or the heart could stop. This is about the power of a 100 W light bulb at 110 V.

To avoid electrical injury, EV owners should follow the manufacturer’s charging recommendations. Avoid damp or wet surfaces and never use damaged equipment. Remain alert to cables and public charging stations, which may get worn or damaged through excessive use, exercising caution in the selection of a charging station to ensure it is compatible and not damaged. Remember, as well, that water is a good conductor of electricity and if the electrical system is not operating safely, you could be subject to injury.

Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) should be provided in charging stations. The Consumer Product Safety Commission notes that public charging stations have a significant percentage of damaged GFCIs. These safety features will shut down the system if electricity presents a potential injury to the operator. GFCIs should be trip-tested as per manufacturers’ specifications or at least quarterly.

There is a significant amount of testing and experimentation being conducted on the safety of electric vehicles. Unfortunately, it is usually a tragedy that results in the adaptation of codes to protect the public. With the rapid increase in technology and the proliferation of electric vehicles, we cannot let safety take a backseat to environmental issues. They must run a parallel path to ensure success with limited losses.

Moving Forward with EVs

Today, industry is recognizing that EV success will rely in large part on customers feeling protected. General Motors recently provided the National Fire Protection Association with a $225,000 grant to train firefighters throughout the U.S. to control and extinguish a fire in an EV. As EVs become more ubiquitous, additional attention on issues of safety will be essential.

Climate change is a clear result of our large climate footprint, and EVs present a strong opportunity to address these challenges. With proper risk management in place as the EV market grows, we can make significant progress in the future to protect our planet, our people, and our property.