The switch to EVs is continuing rapidly in the UK. In 2025 almost one in four new cars were BEVs (fully electric vehicles). There has been another surge in 2026, particularly in recent months when fuel costs have been high. The infrastructure continues to improve too, supporting cars as well as electric scooters, bikes, and other vehicles. It’s vital to think about fire safety here though. We want to have a closer look at a key topic, then you can speak to us about fire risk assessments in Stokesley if you need some help.
Extinguishing
While it’s vital to be proactive and reduce the risk of fires starting in the first place, it is equally important to make sure it’s as easy as possible to extinguish them. However, that can be incredibly difficult with EVs. This is a key thing to think about, especially when it comes to things like charging stations and underground or covered car parks.
Tackling fires with internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles is relatively simple. They typically start because the fuel ignites. Therefore, the goal is to isolate the fuel source and cool the affected area to extinguish the fire. It can take as little as 30 minutes to put fires out here.
Unfortunately, EV fires are fundamentally different. They generally happen because a single cell breaks down, causing a short circuit and chemical reaction. This can generate a huge amount of heat and flammable gas. It can lead to ignition or even explosions. Worse, thermal runaway can occur as other cells fail. Ultimately, you can end up with a self sustaining fire that will burn hotter for far longer. Talk to us about fire risk assessments in Stokesley and other areas.
Why is it harder to extinguish EV fires?
As you can see, there are a few key things that make it very difficult to extinguish an EV fire. It isn’t a simple case of isolating the fuel and cooling the area. The thermal runaway and self sustaining fire makes isolation impossible. It’s also harder to cool them because they burn so much hotter.
Another key issue here is it’s harder to physically access batteries on many EVs. Fuel systems in ICE vehicles are relatively easy to get to. However, the batteries in EVs tend to be deep underneath the chassis to protect them. It makes them difficult to access. Even then, battery packs often feature many layers of protection so it is challenging to reach the cells.
There is also a higher risk of reignition with EVs. They can suddenly reignite, sometimes even days after there has been a fire. It can happen because of residual heat, remaining chemical energy in cells, flammable material in the batteries, or further short circuits.
Talk to us about fire risk assessments in Stokesley
There is a lot to think about when it comes to EVs, especially for businesses and residential buildings. You need to plan carefully where to place charging stations, considering the dangers and challenge of extinguishing fires. It’s crucial to think about the fact battery failures generate toxic gases; you don’t want them to end up trapped.
If you need to conduct fire risk assessments in Stokesley for different properties, you can rely on us. We can give you advice about various risks to help you maximise safety. In addition, we can provide solutions for fire doors, alarms, fire extinguishers, and more. So, get in touch today and tell us what you need help with.
