4 electrical automobile (EV) fires occurred in Malaysia between January and September this 12 months, experiences The Solar. That is in keeping with Putrajaya fireplace and rescue division fireplace security division director Datuk Khirudin Drahman Hussain, who suggested EV homeowners to observe the producer’s handbook to make sure secure operation and cut back the danger of fires.
“EV homeowners ought to keep away from overcharging, monitor charging periods and be certain that their automobiles aren’t uncovered to excessive warmth or particles. It could actually take from 5 to 24 hours to completely extinguish an EV fireplace, relying on the dimensions of the battery (kWh) and the hearth load concerned. On account of thermal runaway, the excessive warmth and speedy deflagration course of make EV fires tough to extinguish with common ABC dry powder or water except the automobile is flooded with ice,” he mentioned.
Out of the 4 EV fires this 12 months, one occurred throughout charging, whereas three had been as a consequence of accidents. When thermal runaway happens, the battery pack overheats and ignites different cells, resulting in an intense and extended fireplace that may launch giant quantities of warmth, poisonous gases and chemical fumes.
At current, water and a particular fireplace blanket are used to take care of EV fires, though they solely serve to forestall the hearth from spreading and to not extinguish it. It could actually take a really very long time to place out an EV battery fireplace experiencing thermal runaway, as evident by this case involving a Tesla Semi again in August.
Underneath the brand new fireplace security pointers, EV charging bays in Malaysia will need to have an EV fireplace blanket at a strategic level or a hearth command centre. Firefighters are additionally present process coaching and publicity to EV fires to discover ways to take care of them in addition to the additional precautions required, together with carrying full private protecting tools with a set of respiration equipment.
Khirudin additionally famous that fires involving EV batteries can result in a vapour cloud explosion, with a 70% probability in basements or enclosed areas, finally producing extremely poisonous gases. “Regardless of frequent warnings about fireplace risks, many individuals consider it’s a distant threat that solely impacts others. It’s essential to be further cautious and alert to forestall potential incidents,” he mentioned.
In the meantime, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) automotive growth centre director Dr Mohd Azman Abas mentioned EV battery applied sciences are essential in minimising the danger of a hearth. “Whereas most electrical automobiles presently use lithium-ion batteries, which supply excessive vitality density and effectivity, they’re additionally extra prone to dangers resembling overheating, which can lead to thermal runaway,” he defined.
The way in which a battery is designed and managed is essential, with techniques needing to make sure secure charging and discharging in addition to keep away from overheating, overcharging or brief circuits. He added that researchers are exploring the combination of synthetic intelligence (AI) to boost the system’s means to foretell and detect potential points.
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