4 electrical automobile (EV) fires occurred in Malaysia between January and September this 12 months, studies The Solar. That is in accordance with Putrajaya fireplace and rescue division fireplace security division director Datuk Khirudin Drahman Hussain, who suggested EV house owners to observe the producer’s handbook to make sure protected operation and cut back the danger of fires.
“EV house owners ought to keep away from overcharging, monitor charging classes and make sure that their autos will not be uncovered to excessive warmth or particles. It could possibly take from 5 to 24 hours to totally extinguish an EV fireplace, relying on the dimensions of the battery (kWh) and the fireplace load concerned. Attributable to thermal runaway, the excessive warmth and fast deflagration course of make EV fires tough 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 attributable to 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 cope with EV fires, though they solely serve to stop the fireplace from spreading and to not extinguish it. It could possibly 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 tips, 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 cope with them in addition to the additional precautions required, together with sporting full private protecting gear with a set of respiratory 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, in the end producing extremely poisonous gases. “Regardless of frequent warnings about fireplace risks, many individuals consider it’s a distant danger that solely impacts others. It’s essential to be further cautious and alert to stop 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 essential in minimising the danger of a hearth. “Whereas most electrical autos at present use lithium-ion batteries, which supply excessive power density and effectivity, they’re additionally extra vulnerable to dangers reminiscent of overheating, which may end up in thermal runaway,” he defined.
The best way a battery is designed and managed is essential, with methods 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 potential to foretell and detect potential points.
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