Washington Governor Jay Inslee has signed legislation that will dedicate resources to studying electric vehicle battery fires, the Chronicle reports.
Signed by the governor last Tuesday, the bill will instruct the Washington State Patrol to look into the risks posed by EV battery fires, what measures can be taken to store and tow EVs, and how to handle the fires if they occur.
Sen. Jeff Wilson (R-Longview), the owner of an electric Chevy Bolt, sponsored the bill, following a recall that was issued on his EV’s battery and that sparked concern from him. He cited the unique risks EV battery fires pose, and how difficult it can be to manage a fire when it does happen.
“Battery fires pose special hazards, like high voltage, intense heat, toxic fumes and a tendency to reignite,” Wilson said. “To douse a battery fire, you need a dozen times more water than an ordinary fire truck can carry. Quite often, firefighters just stand back and let EVs burn.”
In line with Wilson’s statement, fire department officials told the Senate Transportation Committee that an average firetruck can hold only 500 gallons of water. To extinguish an EV fire, 12 times that amount is typically needed.
Though EV battery fires are not a common occurrence, with the rise in EV ownership, fire officials said it’s a valid concern. The bill signed by Gov. Inslee will gather input from law enforcement, firefighters, and the towing industry to develop a study on the issue.
