NTSB Recommendations For Emergency Responder Safety Re: Electric Vehicle Accident Fires

As sales of electric vehicles (EVs) climb, so do concerns for the safety of first and second responders to EV-involved accidents. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated several incidents of lithium-ion battery fires and reignition fires that prompted safety concern for these responders to EV crash sites, issuing their report, “Safety Risks to Emergency Responders from Lithium-Ion Battery Fires in Electric Vehicles“, discussed below.

The NTSB conducted investigations of four electric vehicle battery fires (in California and Florida) and reviewed manufacturer emergency responder guidance materials for crash fires. Electric vehicle fires caused by crash damage to a vehicle’s high-voltage lithium-ion battery or an internal failure of the battery, pose risks of fire, fire reignition and exposure to high voltage (electric shock) due to the stored energy in the battery. The NTSB’ review of the EV manufacturers guidance pointed to a lack of clarification on how to properly extinguish litium-ion battery fires, and the proper post-accident neutralization of the reserve energy contained in these batteries that could lead to fire reignitions.

The NTSB released the following recommendations in January 2021 to 22 manufacturers of electric vehicles equipped with high-voltage lithium-ion batteries:

• Model your emergency response guides on International Organization for Standardization standard 17840, as included in SAE International recommended practice J2990.
• Incorporate vehicle-specific information in your emergency response guides on:
  • Fighting high-voltage lithium-ion battery fires.
  • Mitigating thermal runaway and the risk of high-voltage lithium-ion battery reignition.
  • Mitigating the risks associated with stranded energy in high-voltage lithium-ion batteries, both during the initial emergency response and before moving a damaged electric vehicle from the scene.
  • Safely storing an electric vehicle that has a damaged high-voltage lithium-ion battery.

Thus far, EV manufacturers have responded as follows:

Response Summaries (Detailed Responses):

(MANUFACTURER, CASE STATUS, RESPONSE)

 BMW North America LLC – Open – Acceptable Response

 BYD Motors – Open – Acceptable Response

 Stellantis (Formerly Fiat Chrysler Automobile US LLC) – Open – Acceptable Response

 General Motors – Open – Acceptable Response

 Ford Motor Company – Open – Acceptable Response

 Gillig Corporation – Open – Acceptable Response

 American Honda Motor Company, Inc. – Closed – Acceptable Action – 05/25/2022

 Hyundai Motor America – Closed – Acceptable Action – 05/25/2022

 Karma Automotive – Open – Await Response

 Kia Motors America, Inc. – Open – Acceptable Response

 Mercedes-Benz USA LLC – Open – Acceptable Response

 Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. – Closed – Acceptable Action – 11/04/2021

 Nissan Group of North America, Inc. – Open – Acceptable Response

 Nova Bus Corporation – Open – Await Response

 Porsche Cars North America, Inc. – Closed – Acceptable Action – 05/25/2022

 Proterra, Inc. – Closed – Acceptable Action – 11/04/2021

 Subaru of America, Inc. – Open – Acceptable Response – 11/10/2021

 Tesla Motors – Open – Acceptable Response

 Toyota Motor North America, Inc. – Open – Acceptable Response

 Van Hool NV – Closed – Acceptable Action – 11/10/2021

 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. – Closed – Acceptable Action – 05/25/2022

 Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. – Closed – Acceptable Action – 11/10/2021

Electric vehicle accidents present a growing field within that of crash investigations; one we will monitor and continue to be involved with and grow our body of knowledge. Updates will be posted as significant developments occur.

BNI Operatives; Situationally aware.

As always, stay safe.