Fire service calls for legislation and regulations on electric cars

Over the past five years, the Netherlands has seen remarkable growth in electric cars, with numbers rising from 87,552 to 260,672, as reported by RTL. An impressive shift towards sustainable mobility that is changing our landscape!

Although electric cars are generally less prone to catching fire, this growth also brings new challenges. Effective fire prevention has become a central and increasingly urgent concern. Omega previously discussed homeowners' associations' hesitation about allowing electric cars into their garages. The fire service is now calling for updated legislation and regulations for safely parking electric cars, particularly in parking garages.

Brandweer Nederland is calling for clear, specific rules on electric cars. Tackling a car fire inside a parking garage presents a challenge.

According to battery expert Erik Kelder of TU Delft, who spoke to RTL Nieuws, short circuits are almost always the cause of a fire. “A battery receives too much current, overheats and bursts apart. Moisture and oxygen react very quickly, and the battery then catches fire.” Extinguishing electric-car fires is complex. The batteries can cause the fire to reignite repeatedly. Even after the fire has been put out, vehicles need to remain submerged in special containers for an extended period to prevent reignition.

In an interview with RTL, fire chief Lieben stresses that allowing large numbers of cars with battery packs into parking garages does not seem logical. “And if they do have to park there, under what conditions? Which cars may enter? Should garages be adapted with different building materials or partitions?” Lieben asks. He notes that the fire service faces new challenges, including fires involving electric vehicles and solar panels. These issues are complex and require preventive solutions.

Finding solutions for safely parking electric vehicles is crucial. Fortunately, systems such as the battery fire cooler are already on the market and are proving highly effective in incidents involving electric-car fires.

The growth of electric cars and sustainable mobility is very important. It also brings fire-safety challenges in which our sector has a role to play.

Source: RTL Nieuws