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Legislation that would direct the Washington State Patrol to study the fire hazards posed by electric vehicle batteries and establish best practices for firefighting, towing, storage and cleanup was signed by Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday.
The bill is sponsored by Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, an owner of an electric Chevrolet Bolt.
“Firefighting agencies are telling us fires are a small but growing problem as EVs win greater acceptance in the marketplace,” Wilson said in a statement. “Battery fires pose special hazards, like high voltage, intense heat, toxic fumes and a tendency to reignite. To douse a battery fire, you need a dozen times more water than an ordinary fire truck can carry. Quite often, firefighters just stand back and let EVs burn.”
According to Wilson, the recall of his electric car battery due to a fire hazard prompted safety concerns. Even after replacing his vehicle’s battery, Wilson parks in his driveway, away from his house, out of precaution.
“Suddenly, people were telling me, ‘Don’t park here.’ People are spooked,” Wilson said. “It’s a problem all of us who own electric cars have learned to live with.”
During testimony before the Senate Transportation Committee, fire department officials said a typical fire truck carries 500 gallons of water, though it can take 12 times that amount to put out the typical EV battery fire.
The study will include law enforcement, firefighters and towing industry input. While battery fires are rare, fire officials said during Senate testimony they are a growing problem as the market share of electric vehicles grows.
According to Wilson, the study should increase public acceptance of electric vehicles.
