EV BATTERY FIRES

As more people own electric cars and the total number on the road rises each year, fires with these cars and other electric vehicles that have lithium-ion batteries come with the concern of releasing toxic gases.

While any vehicle fire does release toxic gases such as carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), hydrochloric acid (HCl) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); hydrogen fluoride (HF) represents an additional scary difference between electric vehicles and conventional gas powder vehicles as it is very dangerous and can be absorbed through the skin and produced through the combustion of the electrolyte in the battery.

Some of the toxic and dangerous chemical compounds in an EV fire include: Hydrogen fluoride (HF), Hydrogen chloride (HCl), Sulphur dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN). These chemicals pose additional risks to those associated with the EV fire, including those responding to the event. FAST-ACT Pressurized Cylinders provide a much-needed, and simple response tool for harmful gases and airborne chemicals.