Lithium-ion Batteries Demonstrate Their Safety in Fire Tests

Lithium-ion Batteries Demonstrate Their Safety in Fire Tests PR Newswire STUTTGART, Germany, October 29, 2012 STUTTGART, Germany, October 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Current series of tests conducted by DEKRA on the safety of electric vehicles Flame and smoke development less than with diesel or petrol cars Burning liquids do not flow away Extinguishing battery fires requires more water or special additives In the event of a fire, electric and hybrid cars containing lithium-ion traction batteries are at least as safe as combustion engine vehicles. This is the conclusion of a current series of fire tests conducted by the experts from DEKRA in collaboration with a car manufacturer. DEKRA Automobil GmbH has spent a long time focusing on the safety of electric vehicles. "Safety issues are key to increased popularity of electromobility - and that includes fire protection," says Andreas Richter, who works in the DEKRA Electromobility Competence Center and coordinates all the company's activities in this area. "Are drivers of electric vehicles literally sitting in the hot seat? Are fire brigades capable of extinguishing fires from electric vehicles? This is debated extensively in places such as Internet forums. Our fire tests will now make a qualified and constructive contribution to this discussion." In this series of tests, three traction batteries from an electric vehicle currently on the market were set alight and then extinguished using different extinguishing agents.