Electric Vehicle Fire Safety

Electric vehicle batteries catch fire if severely damaged, punctured, or exposed to extreme heat. These fires involve lithium-ion cells that undergo thermal runaway—a self-sustaining chain reaction of heat generation and gas release that is extremely difficult to extinguish.

Thermal runaway can reignite hours or days after the fire appears to be out. Firefighters use large quantities of water over extended periods—sometimes thousands of gallons—to cool the battery pack. Conventional firefighting methods are often insufficient.

Park your EV away from structures and other vehicles to reduce fire spread risk. Many manufacturers recommend avoiding deep discharges and extreme charging states, as both stress battery cells and elevate fire risk.

If an EV fire occurs, evacuate immediately, call 911, and do not attempt to extinguish it yourself. Lithium-ion fires release toxic fumes including hydrogen fluoride.