Electric Vehicle Fires on Ships

[BillTre]

This is a video on fires on ships by Sal Mercogliano. He is very experienced and produces great videos on all aspects of shipping and disasters. Fires involving lithium batteries can not be easily put out because they have their own supply of oxidant. Water can't put them out. They will continue to burn burn.

 

[Borg]

They couldn't spell Porsche?

 

[DaveC426913]

A homeowner hires an Irishman to paint his porch.

Homeowner tells the Irishman that the brushes, paint, and ladders are in the garage.

About 30 minutes later he hears a knock and answers the door. The Irishman lets him know that he's finished.

"Wow" he says, "that was quick. Did you have enough paint?"

"Faith an' begora! I had enough for two coats!" he replies.

The homeowner thanks and pays him.

As the Irishman is leaving he turns around and says "By the wee now, 'tis not a Porch. 'tis a Ferrari."

 

[Ken Fabian]

Like with shipping any dangerous goods, including regular ICE as well as battery electric vehicles, improving the safety standards and safety protocols as problems become apparent - rather than banning the goods - seems indicated.

Probably for EV's they should be at low state of charge and batteries, including the auxilliary ones, disconnected if that is not already the case - something requiring trained staff to be sure of, which may not be the case. Not sure how that might apply to ferry type shipping, where owners travel with their own cars aboard and expect to drive away at the other end.

Appropriate fire suppression equipment seems kinda obvious - can't put out such fires but can stop the fire spreading. But I also expect improving standards to reduce EV battery fire risk is ongoing.

I note that BYD is moving to their own dedicated carrier fleet - I expect they are aware of potential fire risks in the design criteria. Given they are big in buses, trucks and other kinds of EV's, may be a contributor to electrification of shipping.