Do Firefighters Know How to Extinguish Electric Vehicle Fires?

If you have made the switch from an internal combustion vehicle to an electric one, you are probably appreciating not having to pay high gas prices. You also are doing your part to stave off environmental damage. Still, your electric vehicle may put you at increased risk of suffering third-degree burns during an accident.

According to reporting from CNBC, electric vehicle fires are exceedingly rare in the U.S. That is the good news. The bad news is firefighters may not have the training and experience they need to extinguish electric vehicle fires quickly.

Lithium-ion batteries

The electric vehicles on the market today have lithium-ion batteries. These batteries store energy until your electric vehicle needs it to move. Regrettably, though, when lithium-ion batteries ignite, they often burn hotter, faster and longer than internal combustion engines. Lithium-ion battery fires also can reignite even after seemingly being out.

A change in production

Major manufacturers of electric vehicles, such as Tesla and Ford, have announced plans to change the batteries they install in their electric cars, trucks and SUVs. These changes may make electric vehicle fires even less common. Still, if you drive an electric vehicle with a lithium-ion battery, you may have to depend on firefighters to save your life.

Firefighter training

Firefighters are continuing to learn about the challenges of lithium-ion battery fires. With growing knowledge, first responders can develop techniques for fighting electric vehicle blazes quickly. Still, it is going to take some time for these techniques to become standard across the country.

Ultimately, if you suffer catastrophic burns in an electric vehicle fire, you may have grounds to file an insurance claim or even a lawsuit.