Full-Scale Experimental Analysis of the Behavior of Electric Vehicle Fires and the Effectiveness of Extinguishing Methods

Olona, Ana ; Castejon, Luis (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: The emergence of electric vehicles (EVs) has brought specific risks, including the possibility of fires or explosions resulting from mechanical, thermal, or electrical failures, which can lead to thermal runaway (TR). There is a great lack of knowledge about how to act safely in this type of fire. This study carried out two full-scale fire experiments on electric vehicles to investigate response strategies to electric vehicle fires caused by thermal runaway. Centro Zaragoza provided technical advice for these tests, so that they could be carried out safely, controlling the risks. This advice has allowed Centro Zaragoza to analyze different response strategies to the fires in electric vehicles caused by thermal runaway. On the other hand, the propagation patterns of thermal runaway fires in electric vehicles were investigated. The early-phase effectiveness of fire blankets and other extinguishing measures was tested, and the temperature distributions inside the vehicle and the type of fire generated were measured. The results showed that fire blankets successfully extinguished flames by cutting off the oxygen supply. These findings contribute to the development of effective strategies for responding to electric vehicle fires, enabling the establishment of good practice for fire suppression in electric vehicles and their batteries.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.3390/fire8080301

Año: 2025

Publicado en: Fire (Basel) 8, 8 (2025), 301 [38 pp.]
ISSN: 2571-6255

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/UZ/DI 4/2020

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Ingen.e Infraestr.Transp. (Dpto. Ingeniería Mecánica)