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How do you extinguish an electrical car fire?
I heard that electric car fires are harder to fight than regular car fires. I have an electric car, and I need to know what to do if it catches fire. How do you extinguish an electrical car fire?
Bellina Gaskey · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Great question! The best way to handle an electric vehicle fire is with lots and lots of water. The first thing you should do upon discovering your car is on fire is get out of the car and get to safety.
If you can’t extinguish the fire in a safe manner (if the flames are too high or hot, for instance) stay far away until the fire department arrives. They are trained to deal with these kinds of hazards, and have the proper equipment to keep everyone safe.
If it’s necessary and safe for you to try to put the fire out yourself, get water. A hose connected to a house might be your most readily available source of the large amount of water you need.
Electric vehicle experts say that even after an electric vehicle fire has been put out, water should be poured over the battery for 30 minutes afterward to confirm it won’t re-ignite.
You’ll be tempted to spray back and forth for maximum coverage, like a sprinkler. If the battery is the source, instead of a sprinkler, keep a direct and focused stream on the
battery
.Be careful not to touch the high voltage components, and don’t open up the battery. These components will absorb a high degree of heat and will hurt you.
While extinguishers with foam or dry chemicals are usually the go-to for vehicle fires, if the fire is coming from your electric vehicle’s
Lithium-ion battery
, they won’t be effective.Before anything happens with your vehicle, make sure you have affordable insurance.
Jerry
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