E-car facts: Is rescue possible by the fire brigade in the event of a fire?

Myths and realities: Can't people in burning electric cars be saved?

A frequently asked question concerns the safety of electric vehicles in the event of a fire. One concerned citizen said:

“Is it true that recovery from electric cars can be done with rescue shears, e.g. B. by the fire department in the event of a fire, is not possible? A firefighter said that he is against electric cars because apparently many people burn terribly because they are left in the car because recovery is not possible.

The answer is clear: firefighters are trained to rescue people from crashed vehicles, regardless of the vehicle type. Safety protocols and special rescue techniques make it possible to safely evacuate people from electric cars. There are certainly new challenges, but fire departments are trained to meet them and save lives.

Lightning, smoke and sparks: The drama of an electric car fire

While traditional vehicle fires can often be controlled quickly, a burning electric car immediately attracts the public's attention. The reason? High-voltage batteries are harder to extinguish and therefore more spectacular in their appearance. Karl-Heinz-Knorr, Vice President of the German Fire Brigade Association, emphasizes: “If an electric car battery burns, enormous fire output can be expected - it is no less with a battery than with a torn tank.”

Why electric cars burn differently

In the event of a fire, today's cars generally generate greater heat due to the combustible materials installed such as insulation, plastics and wider tires. This applies to vehicles of all types of drive, including electric cars. In the event of an electric car fire, the energy is primarily released inside the battery, where the fire spreads from one cell to the next. This complicates the extinguishing work.

Water: The fire department's best friend

Firefighters often use extinguishing foam for traditional vehicle fires. But with lithium-ion batteries, water is the preferred medium. Why? “It is not enough to just smother the visible flames,” explains Knorr. The battery needs to be cooled, and that usually requires a lot more water than traditional fires. Extinguishing agent additives are sometimes added to increase efficiency.

What is the difference between the water jet when extinguishing and the conventional water jet?

Extinguishing an electric car fire not only requires more water, but also a special water jet. The water jet consists of individual drops. He first extinguishes all burning external parts and then the battery. This method protects the firefighters from the voltage flowing back through the water and being transferred to the emergency services. But even if this hurdle has been overcome and the electric car apparently no longer burns, the fire department's mission is not yet over. The special jet is just one of two special tasks that the fire brigade faces when it comes to electric car fires. The electric car must then be immersed in a water bath.

Fire Blankets: The Promise of New Technologies

Another approach to fighting electric car fires is the use of fire blankets. These heat-resistant blankets can completely cover a burning vehicle, smothering the flames. Tests with the fire brigade and the ADAC have shown that fire blankets can significantly delay the development of fire, which is particularly important in closed spaces such as underground car parks.

Claims	Fact check
Electric cars burn more often than combustion engines.	Incorrect. The fire risk of electric cars is no higher than that of petrol or diesel vehicles.
The fire department does not put out burning electric cars with water.	Incorrect. Water (H2O) is the extinguishing agent used by the fire department to extinguish burning electric cars.
Water and electricity do not belong together.	True, but in the event of a burning electric car, water is used to cool the battery and put out the fire.
There is a special technique to avoid voltage skipping.	Correct. The fire department has developed special techniques to ensure that the tension is not passed on to the emergency services.
The water jet used to extinguish an electric car fire is conventional.	Incorrect. The water jet consists of individual drops and is used specifically to first extinguish the burning parts and then the battery.
A burning electric car must be immersed in a water bath.	Correct. This is necessary to cool the overheated battery and prevent another fire.
A burning electric car can be extinguished by the driver.	Incorrect. It shouldn't even be tried. It is essential to move away from a burning electric car and leave the fire department to extinguish the fire.
There are currently extinguishing methods for electric cars that prevent total loss.	Incorrect. Currently, all extinguishing methods for electric cars result in a total loss.
An electric car can be repaired after a fire.	Incorrect. At the moment, an electric car fire is associated with a total loss.
Electrics and water should always be separated.	Basically correct. But in the event of an electric car fire, water is necessary to effectively cool down the battery.

Conclusion: The path to a secure future

There is no doubt that electric cars are the future of transportation. However, with this new technology comes new challenges in the areas of security and firefighting. The good news is that fire departments around the world are developing new techniques and strategies to address these challenges. While the images of burning electric cars are often shocking and worrying, it is important to remember that conventional vehicles also come with their own dangers and risks. It is important that the public is well informed and able to separate myths from facts. The fire brigade's commitment and expertise ensure that road safety remains the top priority, even in the era of electromobility.

An electric car in full fire – batteries responded / Langenfeld fire department / Emergency-Report.de

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Fact check: Is it really not possible for the fire department to rescue you from a burning electric car?