Water to Extinguish Fires: Debunking the Electric Car

Recent cases of electric car fires, with rampant and difficult-to-extinguish blazes, have brought the safety of these vehicles into focus. They are considered a cornerstone of government decarbonisation strategies.

The reality is that this transition is not occurring as swiftly as Brussels would like. Factors such as anxiety over an insufficient public charging network, higher prices compared to their combustion counterparts, and declining purchase incentives are slowing adoption.

The Electric Vehicle Association (Aedive) and the Dealers Association (Faconauto) have jointly developed a safety decalogue for these vehicles to dispel some widespread myths. In summary: they are perfectly suitable for daily use, similar to combustion vehicles.

One major concern for buyers is fire safety. A lithium battery ignites upon contact with air, so a collision could potentially cause a fire that burns intensely and is difficult to extinguish.

The main issue is that until the lithium in the batteries is depleted—the fuel of the fire—it will continue to burn. Worldwide, firefighters use special equipment, such as thermal blankets or foam, to contain the fire, but this is mainly to prevent it from spreading to nearby cars. The burned electric vehicle is irreparably reduced to its chassis.

According to Ilunion, which has a fire department and frequently conducts fire drills for these types of vehicles, it is possible to use water to contain the fire. However, they estimate that about 10,000 litres are needed, which is unfeasible in car parks that lack the necessary drainage and whose structures—possibly damaged by high temperatures—may not support the additional weight.

Dealers are the main promoters of electric cars, as revealed by the latest survey conducted by Faconauto. To address customer concerns, they will have the Electric Vehicle Safety Decalogue. In it, both associations review the most common myths about zero-emission vehicles to reassure concerned customers who have doubts.

For example, they reiterate that electric car batteries are subject to greater safety controls during manufacturing—precisely to prevent these fires—and that the car's control unit constantly monitors them for status and anomalies. After any impact, they recommend taking the car for a check-up to ensure it has not suffered any damage.

The ten points of the decalogue can be found on the Faconauto and Aedive websites. According to the general director of the dealers' association, José Ignacio Moya, "sales points tell us that many customers believe in the advantages of electric vehicles but need technical assurances. This guide becomes a tool for advisors to support that decision with solid arguments. At a time when confidence is crucial, the dealership prescribes safe and sustainable mobility."