Examining the fire safety of electrical vehicles

Abstract

The treatise deals with a technical and traffic safety challenge which is becoming a bigger and bigger problem nowdays. The spread of electric vehicles, in addition to its positive features, also has its own disadvantages. We can say, these vehicles can be the solution to our two big civilisational problems: air pollution and greenhouse effect. However, like any new technology, it also needs a long time and developement to reach a sufficiently high level of security and to became integrated into the public awareness. In addition to the infrastructure and juristic challenges, this treatise deals with technical problems, such as electric vehicles fires. This topic is important because today's electric vehicles are increasingly widespread, but their risks differ significantly from traditional fossil fueled vehicles. The authors point out the features of the vehicle fires, the causes of their development, and the tactics in current fire extinguishing practices. It contains comparison of fossil-fueled vehicles, hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles with regard to fire protection aspects and also deals with the difference between the in-part or all-electric vehicles. Some cases have been investigated on how it affected development and regulation. In addition, some suggestions are made to make these vehicles safer.