Executive Summary
Electric vehicles (EVs) are driving one of the most important technological shifts of the 21st century. As governments, fleets, and other consumers and stakeholders begin to transition to emerging technologies, EVs are expected to account for over half of all new car sales globally by 2030. This transition isn’t just about electrifying transportation, it’s reshaping how we design infrastructure, deliver energy, and respond to emergencies.
Yet, one critical issue remains under-addressed: fire safety. The pace of EV adoption has outstripped the development of unified safety standards, response protocols, and fire prevention measures. Across cities and regions, fire departments, utilities, and developers often operate in a fragmented landscape without consistent guidance, leaving gaps in preparedness. especially in urban areas where EV infrastructure is rapidly expanding.
Lithium-ion batteries, the heart of modern EVs, are efficient but come with unique risks. Under certain conditions, such as mechanical damage, overheating, or manufacturing defects, they can undergo thermal runaway, a chain reaction that rapidly increases heat, releases toxic gases, and ignites fires that can spread or reignite hours later. Though significantly rarer, these fires differ from traditional fuel fires: they’re harder to extinguish, unpredictable in behavior, and require specialized response techniques.
Many first responders lack access to updated high-voltage schematics, protective gear, and scenario-specific training. In addition, safety technologies, such as battery heat diagnostics, smoke detectors, and automated disconnect systems, remain inconsistently adopted across installations, despite their potential to prevent or contain incidents.
Some regions are beginning to respond. As mentioned in our June 2025 whitepaper, Atlanta enacted a pioneering EV Readiness Ordinance requiring new developments to include both EV charging infrastructure and fire safety provisions, such as spacing requirements, disconnect systems, and fire-resistant design features in enclosed garages. At the national level, the U.S. is also taking steps by adopting ISO 17840, giving emergency responders real-time access to standardized vehicle schematics.
To keep pace with EV growth, fire safety can no longer be an afterthought. It must be integrated into building codes, emergency training, and infrastructure planning from the start.
