Only four EV fires occured in Malaysia this year – three caused by crash damage, one during charging

Four electric vehicle (EV) fires occurred in Malaysia between January and September this year, reports The Sun. This is according to Putrajaya fire and rescue department fire safety division director Datuk Khirudin Drahman Hussain, who advised EV owners to follow the manufacturer’s manual to ensure safe operation and reduce the risk of fires.

“EV owners should avoid overcharging, monitor charging sessions and ensure that their vehicles are not exposed to extreme heat or debris. It can take from five to 24 hours to fully extinguish an EV fire, depending on the size of the battery (kWh) and the fire load involved. Due to thermal runaway, the high heat and rapid deflagration process make EV fires difficult to extinguish with regular ABC dry powder or water unless the vehicle is flooded with ice,” he said.

Out of the four EV fires this year, one occurred during charging, while three were due to accidents. When thermal runaway occurs, the battery pack overheats and ignites other cells, leading to an intense and prolonged fire that can release large amounts of heat, toxic gases and chemical fumes.

At present, water and a special fire blanket are used to deal with EV fires, although they only serve to prevent the fire from spreading and not to extinguish it. It can take a very long time to put out an EV battery fire experiencing thermal runaway, as evident by this case involving a Tesla Semi back in August.

Under the new fire safety guidelines, EV charging bays in Malaysia must have an EV fire blanket at a strategic point or a fire command centre. Firefighters are also undergoing training and exposure to EV fires to learn how to deal with them as well as the extra precautions required, including wearing full personal protective equipment with a set of breathing apparatus.

Khirudin also noted that fires involving EV batteries can lead to a vapour cloud explosion, with a 70% likelihood in basements or enclosed areas, ultimately producing highly toxic gases. “Despite frequent warnings about fire dangers, many people believe it is a remote risk that only affects others. It’s important to be extra cautious and alert to prevent potential incidents,” he said.

Meanwhile, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) automotive development centre director Dr Mohd Azman Abas said EV battery technologies are important in minimising the risk of a fire. “While most electric vehicles currently use lithium-ion batteries, which offer high energy density and efficiency, they are also more susceptible to risks such as overheating, which can result in thermal runaway,” he explained.

The way a battery is designed and managed is important, with systems needing to ensure safe charging and discharging as well as avoid overheating, overcharging or short circuits. He added that researchers are exploring the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the system’s ability to predict and detect potential issues.

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