When lithium-ion batteries in electric cars catch fire, they are difficult to extinguish. This can be a problem, especially in narrow underground garages.
Electric cars rarely burn, but are then difficult to extinguish. In the Franconian town of Kulmbach and in Leonberg in Baden-Württemberg, an underground car park for battery cars has now been blocked for the first time. The municipalities each give reasons for fire protection.
A conventional VW Golf caught fire in the garage in Kulmbach last year and caused serious damage. Because a burning electric car is more difficult to extinguish, the city fears even more serious damage in the event of a fire. The portal “InFranken.de” first reported about the closure in Kulmbach.
The batteries of e-cars and e-bikes can catch fire in the event of accident damage, for example, even with a significant delay. If the battery burns in a closed room, you should go outside immediately and call the fire brigade, as the gases and smoke produced can be extremely toxic.
Only large amounts of water can help extinguish a burning electric car. The flow of water then cools the battery and prevents the lithium it contains from reacting with the extinguishing liquid. If you only use a glass or a bucket, that is probably not enough to cool down and, for example, an oxyhydrogen gas explosion can occur, which is also dangerous.