Policemen stand close to the wreckage of a automotive that caught fireplace, subsequently engulfing a home close by, in Indore, March 18, 2026.
| Photo Credit: PTI
The story to this point: A hearth tore through a house in Indore on March 18, killing eight individuals together with two kids. An electrical automobile (EV) charging level exterior the home appeared to have sparked the blaze. An investigation is underway.
Are EV batteries protected?
Nearly each EV on the highway as we speak runs on lithium-ion batteries, which use the identical chemistry powering thousands and thousands of smartphones and laptops. They pack extra vitality than lead-acid batteries and are usually protected when managed nicely.
A typical explanation for EV battery fires is an occasion referred to as a thermal runaway. A lithium-ion battery packs hundreds of cells tightly collectively, every producing warmth because it prices and discharges.
Normally, an onboard pc referred to as the battery administration system retains the temperature inside a protected vary. But if one thing goes improper, one cell can overheat, inflicting neighbouring cells to overheat in a sequence response that may outpace the cooling system.
This course of additionally releases a poisonous cocktail of gases, together with hydrogen fluoride, in a flammable vapour that eases the ‘path’ to a fireplace.
What causes thermal runaway?
Manufacturers shield battery packs by packing them inside shells of bolstered metal or aluminium. However, a tough influence — like from a robust influence to the undercarriage — can deform the casing and puncture or deform the cells inside, resulting in a brief circuit.
Charging a battery past its designed capability can drive cost to construct up within the ‘wrong’ locations inside cells. Reputable EV producers embrace safeguards of their charging programs to forestall this however third-party or broken chargers could not take note of these limits. And usually altering a battery in a single day with such a charger can enhance the chance.
As the battery expands and contracts throughout use, uncommon manufacturing defects like a small protrusion of steel can carry the optimistic and unfavorable electrodes in contact, inflicting an infinite present to move between them. This releases warmth that then spreads by way of the pack. Extension cords or home wiring in outdated buildings can even overheat once they can’t deal with the sustained present.
Do exterior circumstances matter?
In sizzling climate, like throughout summers in India, the cooling system can battle to shed warmth. Parking an EV in direct daylight for lengthy durations or charging it instantly after a protracted drive can add to the thermal stress.
As batteries age, their inside parts additionally degrade. So customers who ignore warning lights or skip inspections can miss early indicators of swelling or chemical decomposition.
Flooding additionally threatens batteries. The contaminated water after heavy rains can infiltrate a battery pack and trigger quick circuits. Several EV fires have occurred within the days after autos have been submerged in floodwater.
EVs should not uniquely harmful. Petrol vehicles catch fireplace too, and extra usually, as they carry flammable gasoline subsequent to an engine working at a excessive temperature. The distinction is that EV battery fires burn hotter, unfold sooner, and are tougher to place out (because the battery releases oxygen because it burns). Firefighters usually have to make use of a lot of water or specialised fireplace blankets to douse the supply and funky it down.
The Indore incident was made worse by the truth that LPG cylinders have been saved within the constructing, a sports activities bike was parked inside, and digital door locks jammed when the ability failed.
What are business, customers doing?
Most EVs as we speak have channels alongside the cells full of a coolant that absorbs their warmth and dissipates it into the air. Scientists are at present creating a brand new type of cooling the place the coolant evaporates because it absorbs warmth and releases it into the air, enhancing warmth switch and dealing with temperature spikes higher.
Manufacturers are additionally exploring batteries that use a strong electrolyte reasonably than the present liquid, lowering the chance of a thermal runaway, whereas refining firewalls inside current designs in order that if one cell fails, the hearth doesn’t unfold.
Users can even take precautions through the use of the charger that got here with the automobile or one licensed by the producer, avoiding routine unattended charging, guaranteeing house electrical programs meet the mandatory requirements for high-power home equipment, and having EV batteries inspected after any important influence. Since warmth is a typical set off, specialists have advisable letting batteries cool after a protracted drive earlier than charging and in addition maintaining the charging space clear.
Finally, the Bureau of Indian Standards launched up to date security norms for EV batteries in 2023 after a spate of fires the earlier 12 months prompted a authorities assessment. As a part of its AIS-156 normal, the Automotive Research Association of India additionally requires exams to verify how warmth propagates in a battery and requires battery packs to provide a automobile’s customers a minimum of 5 minutes to flee earlier than a fireplace.
Published – March 19, 2026 04:04 pm IST
