The Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is intensifying its investigation into electric vehicle (EV) battery fires, responding to a rising number of incidents involving lithium-ion batteries.
Incidents involving EV fires have increased notably, including a major event last October when the M5 motorway in Devon was closed for several hours after a car transporter carrying nine electric vehicles caught fire following multiple explosions. Another lorry fire later that month, also believed to involve batteries, added to growing concerns.
At a recent meeting of the Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority, councillors discussed whether current fire data distinguishes between incidents involving combustion engine vehicles and those involving EVs. The fire authority confirmed that this distinction will be part of a detailed review by its Community Safety Committee.
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Chief Fire Officer Gavin Ellis highlighted a “growing trend” in lithium-ion battery-related fires and emphasized the importance of educating the public. Safety campaigns and community outreach will be expanded to raise awareness about responsible battery disposal and handling.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Gerald Taylor pointed to a national campaign, particularly active over the Christmas season, urging households to dispose of lithium-ion batteries correctly. Improper disposal—such as placing used batteries in regular waste or scrap bins—has led to serious fires, including one that shut down the M5 for hours.
Such fires are not limited to vehicles on the motorway. In several areas across the country, bin lorries have caught fire, often traced back to discarded lithium-ion batteries. The Fire Protection Association warns that overheating battery cells can enter a state called “thermal runaway,” causing rapid heat release and potentially explosive fires.
As electric vehicles become more common, fire services emphasize the need for heightened public responsibility in handling and disposing of lithium-ion batteries to prevent further dangerous incidents.