Electric vehicle ownership is on the rise
Electric vehicle ownership is rising rapidly worldwide. Millions of electric vehicles are now operating across Europe, North America, Asia, and other regions, and adoption is expected to continue accelerating.
Most electric vehicles rely on lithium-ion battery systems chosen for their efficiency and energy density. While electric vehicles are widely regarded as safe and statistically less likely to ignite than petrol or diesel vehicles, a risk still exists. In some regions, hybrid vehicle uptake adds additional complexity to emergency response.
Lithium-ion vehicle fires present unique challenges. Battery packs are typically located underneath the vehicle, while most building sprinkler systems operate from above. This requires new thinking around detection, cooling, and suppression strategies capable of addressing fire from below the chassis.
Electric vehicle fires may also require substantially larger water volumes for sustained cooling. Some facilities may need upgraded storage or supply infrastructure. Planning for these scenarios is essential to reduce damage and support safe evacuation.