Thermal Runaway: Solving The Bane Of Electric Vehicles

Electric Vehicle Industry’s Plan to Address Battery Fires

Although battery fires in electric cars and two-wheeled vehicles are not a common phenomenon, they are notoriously hard to put out, requiring special training and equipment by firefighters. The electric car industry has recognized this issue and is taking steps to make it even less of a concern. The focus is on addressing the primary issue with batteries: thermal runaway. This article will explore the current understanding of battery fires and the efforts being made to mitigate the risks.

Statistics and Data Collection

A recent article by Aarian Marshall in Wired discusses the incidence of battery fires in electric vehicles. However, the cited sources for statistics on car fires by fuel type are questionable, as neither the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) collect data on these fires. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) does gather data, but it only provides information up to 2018 and acknowledges that the data collection is incomplete. More reliable data can be found from European sources, which indicate that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have a lower fire incidence rate compared to gasoline cars. However, when BEVs do catch fire, it is often due to thermal runaway caused by factors such as short circuits, overcharging, high ambient temperatures, arson, or car crashes.

Efforts to Improve Safety

The Wired article mentions several strategies to enhance the safety of battery-powered vehicles. These include transitioning to more stable lithium-ion chemistries like lithium-ion phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP), exploring solid-state batteries, developing easier ways to extinguish fires and disconnect the vehicle’s battery, and providing firefighter training. Additionally, the European Union plans to implement a ‘battery passport’ requirement in 2027, which will track the origin, manufacturing, and testing of batteries.

Addressing Thermal Runaway

Thermal runaway is one of the most unpredictable risks associated with batteries. A review article by Mahn-Kien Tran and colleagues in Processes (2022) highlights the current understanding of thermal runaway and proposes methods to model and predict its occurrence. Detecting thermal runaway before it escalates is crucial, especially considering the difficulty in predicting internal shorts caused by wear and manufacturing defects.

Addressing Battery Fires in Electric Bikes

Electric bikes have gained notoriety for their tendency to catch fire, particularly while charging. MIT Technology Review reports a potential solution in the form of battery swapping stations equipped with sensors and fire extinguishing systems. This allows delivery drivers and other e-bike users to avoid charging batteries in their apartments, reducing the risk of fire incidents.

Conclusion

As battery-powered vehicles and devices become more prevalent, it is essential to address the risk of fires. While the incidence of battery fires in electric vehicles is relatively low compared to gasoline-powered vehicles, finding ways to mitigate this risk is crucial. The industry’s focus on developing safer battery chemistries, improving fire suppression systems, and enhancing firefighter training is a step in the right direction. Additionally, the implementation of a battery passport system and the exploration of predictive models for thermal runaway contribute to the overall goal of achieving sustainable and safe transportation.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
• SDG 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable
• SDG 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicators mentioned in the article:

• Number of battery fires per 100,000 cars sold
• Percentage of battery fires caused by thermal runaway
• Existence of firefighter training for handling battery fires
• Implementation of a ‘battery passport’ to track battery origin and testing
• Presence of sensors and fire extinguishing systems in battery swapping stations

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

The article addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to the issues discussed. These include SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Based on the article’s content, specific targets under these SDGs can be identified. For SDG 7, the target is to increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. For SDG 9, the target is to upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable. For SDG 11, the target is to provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all. And for SDG 13, the target is to integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.

The article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards these targets. These include the number of battery fires per 100,000 cars sold, the percentage of battery fires caused by thermal runaway, the existence of firefighter training for handling battery fires, the implementation of a ‘battery passport’ to track battery origin and testing, and the presence of sensors and fire extinguishing systems in battery swapping stations.

Source: hackaday.com