Firefighters are expressing concerns over the challenges posed by high-temperature, rapidly spreading fires in lithium batteries, including incidents involving e-bikes in residential settings and large storage batteries at a solar farm in Prince Edward Island.
The rise in lithium battery fires has led to restrictions on electric bikes and cars in various locations, such as buildings, public transportation, and ferries, impacting users who depend on these modes of transport. Additionally, these incidents have instilled caution in some individuals considering the adoption of electric vehicles.
This week marks Fire Prevention Week, focusing on lithium batteries as the official theme. Understanding the challenges associated with lithium battery fires and implementing preventive measures is crucial to mitigating risks.
Toronto has witnessed a significant increase in lithium-ion battery fires, highlighting the challenges faced by firefighters in combating these fires.
How prevalent are lithium battery fires?
While Canadian fire departments do not consistently track lithium battery incidents, estimates from the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs suggest around 1,500 fires ignited by lithium batteries occurred in 600 communities across Canada last year. The incidents are on the rise alongside the growing use of lithium battery-powered devices, notes Paul Boissoneault, the association’s president and the Oakville Fire Department chief.
Lithium battery fires are most commonly associated with household devices like e-bikes and e-scooters.
Compared to gas-powered vehicles, electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage battery fires are infrequent due to rigorous testing and safety features such as temperature sensors and cooling systems. While nationwide statistics on EV fires in Canada are limited, data from the U.S. indicates their rarity in comparison to gas vehicle fires.
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