Summary
- Electric vehicles pose new safety challenges, including the potential for battery reignition after a fire
- First responders face challenges in fighting EV battery fires, with longer suppression times and higher water requirements
- Proposed safety standards for EV batteries include performance tests, water exposure protection, and emergency response guides
- The PHMSA has implemented new rules for air transport of EV batteries, prohibiting lithium-ion battery cargo on passenger planes
- Recent lithium-ion battery fires in California prompt calls to reconsider clean fleet regulations due to safety concerns
Article
The increasing presence of electric vehicles (EVs) in the U.S. fleet has led to new challenges, particularly regarding the safety of EV batteries. In a virtual stakeholder meeting held on Aug. 27 by the U.S. Department of Transportation, researchers highlighted safety issues related to lithium-ion batteries used in EVs. One major concern is the risk of EV batteries reigniting well after an initial fire has been put out, posing a threat during transportation or storage of damaged vehicles. To prevent such incidents, suggestions have been made to keep towed EVs at a safe distance from surroundings or submerge them in water to prevent reignition.
Furthermore, water itself can pose a risk for EV battery fires, as seen after Hurricane Ian in 2022 when thousands of submerged electric vehicles resulted in multiple fires. The challenges posed by EV batteries extend to first-responders as well, with an average fire suppression time of up to 90 minutes compared to 30 minutes for traditional combustion engines. Additionally, a significant amount of water is required to fight EV battery fires, with runoff from such incidents being potentially more toxic compared to that from traditional vehicle fires.
To address these safety concerns, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has proposed a rule to establish new safety standards for EV batteries. This includes performance tests, water exposure protection, documentation from manufacturers on battery operations, warnings to drivers in case of thermal events, and emergency response guides for all makes and models of EVs. While some advocate for the use of sodium-ion batteries as a safer alternative to lithium-ion batteries, research indicates that sodium-ion batteries may also pose safety risks similar to or greater than those from lithium-ion batteries.
In addition to concerns about battery safety for owners and first-responders, transportation of EV batteries also raises safety issues. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has implemented rules regarding air transport of lithium-ion batteries, prohibiting certain cargo on passenger planes and enforcing specific charging levels for batteries being transported. Despite the lack of similar regulations for ground transportation, lithium batteries are considered hazardous materials and are subject to relevant regulations.
The recent EV battery fires, including incidents involving a Tesla Semi truck and a tractor-trailer hauling EV batteries in California, have prompted calls to reevaluate regulations related to truck emissions in the state. Following these incidents, a coalition of Republican lawmakers urged Gov. Gavin Newsom to reconsider the Advanced Clean Fleets rule, which mandates a transition to zero-tailpipe-emission trucks by 2036. Concerns have been raised about the minimal response options for first responders in lithium-ion battery fires, as well as the potential risks and disruptions posed by such incidents on highways and commerce. As research continues to address EV battery safety, stakeholders are exploring innovative solutions such as the Battery Logistics Integrated Safety System (BLISS) to enhance packaging and storage safety for EV batteries.
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