Whitby Fire unveils new way to fight Lithium-Ion battery fires in electric cars

Whitby Fire and Emergency Services has unveiled new technology to combat blazes caused by lithium-ion batteries, often found in electric cars.

Lithium Ion batteries have been on the market since 1991, originally introduced to power cell phones. Since then they’ve grown three times more powerful and ten times cheaper.

In the last 30-plus years the batteries have become ubiquitous in technological devices and recently in electric cars.

The scientific community recognizes Li-Ion batteries as one of the most important technological developments in human history. The 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to a trio of inventors who contributed to the technology.

They’ve been noted as the driving energy force behind the e-mobility revolution and a major way to reduce the Greenhouse Gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

However, Li-Ion do have some safety drawbacks. Incorrect manufacturing or charging can lead to a short circuit, creating high current, high heat and eventually a fire.

This can also happen if the battery is damaged, which can occur following an electric vehicle crash or a crushed phone. Famous examples include the Samsung Galaxy recall in 2017 and a series of fire in Boeing 787s.

The batteries use a flammable electrolyte to produce electricity which needs specific equipment to properly extinguish, according to Whitby Fire.

This is particularly pressing as electric vehicles become more common, so too do associated fires. This trend prompted a warning from the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs and Toronto Fire Services.

“In 2023, the number of lithium-ion battery-related fires in Toronto increased by 90 per cent compared to 2022,” Toronto Fire said, “Already this year, there have been 15 fires involving lithium-ion batteries; seven of those fires were related to micromobility devices.”

Whitby Fire echoed these concerns saying, “Lithium-ion battery fires pose unique challenges for first responders. These fires can reignite unexpectedly, burn at extremely high temperatures, and release hazardous gases.”

“Traditional extinguishing methods may not be effective, making it crucial for firefighters to have the right equipment and techniques to manage these incidents safely,” the service continued.

As a result Whitby added AVD Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Extinguishers to all trucks in town. AVD stands for Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion.

This new technology spray a liquid with the mineral vermiculite in it to seal the battery from oxygen. The liquid also contains water to combat flames, but since Li-Ion batteries burn at around 1,100 degrees celsius the fuel needs to be separated.

Whitby fire has also invested in specially designed fire blankets made for Li-Ion fires and Emergency EV plugs which keep the cars from moving.

They also offered several safety tips:

• Always use the right charger and battery for your device.
• Follow the instructions for charging and storing your device.
• Don’t charge your device while you are asleep or not at home.
• Keep e-bikes, scooters, or other devices away from doors so they don’t block your way out in case of a fire.
• Don’t use damaged batteries with dents, they are more likely to catch fire.
• If you notice a problem, stop using the device.