An electric car on fire is difficult to extinguish. This is partly because the battery housing is waterproof. The ultra-high-pressure (UHD) cutting and extinguishing system seems a promising new method to reach the burning battery. Measurements from the RIVM indicate that the extinguishing water becomes heavily polluted with this method. Capturing pollutants can prevent dangerous situations for people and the environment. Therefore, the RIVM recommends further developing this method.
There are more and more electric cars. As a result, battery fires occur more frequently. Because electric car batteries are waterproof, extinguishing from the outside is very difficult. The fire department often places the entire vehicle in a large container of water or lets it burn out in a controlled manner.
Ultra-high-pressure method improves extinguishing process
To make extinguishing more feasible, the ultra-high-pressure (UHD) cutting and extinguishing system has been developed. This allows cutting through the car so that the extinguishing water can reach the burning battery. To test this new method, the Dutch Institute for Public Safety (NIPV) conducted two fire experiments in 2024 together with several partners. The RIVM has measured which hazardous substances from the battery end up in the smoke and extinguishing water.
Harmful substances in smoke, extinguishing water, and environment
Measurements show that the UHD method can release more harmful substances from the battery than other extinguishing methods. This mainly involves heavy metals such as cobalt and nickel. These are substances of very high concern that can end up in the environment through the extinguishing water.
The soil can become so polluted that remediation is necessary. Heavy metals are also harmful when they enter surface water through the sewage system. In rare cases, people can suffer skin injuries if they come into contact with the pollution. This can happen if the soil is not cleaned after using the UHD system and harmful substances remain. In practice, this will mainly play a role in fires involving large battery systems.
Advice for safe use of the UHD system
The UHD extinguishing system proves to be an effective method for extinguishing fires in the batteries of electric vehicles. A downside of this technique is the large amount of harmful substances that end up, particularly in the extinguishing water. Therefore, the RIVM recommends researching ways to capture this extinguishing water. The RIVM also advises considering the environmental impact when choosing the extinguishing method. This can prevent dangerous situations for people and pollution of the environment.
