4 electrical automobile (EV) fires occurred in Malaysia between January and September this 12 months, experiences The Solar. That is in accordance 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 protected operation and cut back the chance of fires.
“EV homeowners ought to keep away from overcharging, monitor charging periods and be sure that their autos should not uncovered to excessive warmth or particles. It may well take from 5 to 24 hours to completely extinguish an EV fireplace, relying on the scale 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 troublesome to extinguish with common ABC dry powder or water except the automobile is flooded with ice,” he stated.
Out of the 4 EV fires this 12 months, one occurred throughout charging, whereas three have been on account of accidents. When thermal runaway happens, the battery pack overheats and ignites different cells, resulting in an intense and extended fireplace that may launch massive 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 may well 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.
Below the brand new fireplace security tips, EV charging bays in Malaysia should have an EV fireplace blanket at a strategic level or a fireplace command centre. Firefighters are additionally present process coaching and publicity to EV fires to learn to take care of them in addition to the additional precautions required, together with sporting full private protecting tools with a set of respiratory equipment.
Khirudin additionally famous that fires involving EV batteries can result in a vapour cloud explosion, with a 70% chance 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 vital to be further cautious and alert to forestall potential incidents,” he stated.
In the meantime, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) automotive improvement centre director Dr Mohd Azman Abas stated EV battery applied sciences are vital in minimising the chance of a hearth. “Whereas most electrical autos presently use lithium-ion batteries, which provide excessive power density and effectivity, they’re additionally extra prone to dangers similar to overheating, which can lead to thermal runaway,” he defined.
The best way a battery is designed and managed is vital, with techniques needing to make sure protected charging and discharging in addition to keep away from overheating, overcharging or quick circuits. He added that researchers are exploring the mixing of synthetic intelligence (AI) to boost the system’s means to foretell and detect potential points.
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