That depends on the individual situation. With appropriate extinguishing methods by the fire brigade, a fire in an electric vehicle can be controlled.
As the process always depends on the individual situation, the same procedure should be followed as for a normal vehicle fire. The important aspect is to refer to the safety data sheets.
No. Water can be used immediately in the event of a fire. The water jet may at most cause a local short circuit in the open high-voltage system if it is open, but no current will flow into the water. And since there is no elemental lithium contained in lithium-ion batteries, contact with water is also unproblematic in this regard.
Every fire releases toxic gases and smoke, which is why it is always important to keep a safe distance from a burning vehicle. Firefighters also use appropriate breathing apparatus in the event of a battery fire – just as they would with a conventional vehicle fire.
The risks associated with fires in electric vehicles are comparable with those in conventional vehicles. In addition to the battery and the fuel, the release of smoke and heat is dictated by all of the materials used in the vehicle. The fire brigade’s approach in this situation is no different to the conventional procedure. As a general rule, underground car parks must always be evacuated immediately in the event of a vehicle fire.
Some underground and multi-storey car parks do not permit access to electric vehicles. While safety investigations by the Volkswagen Group have revealed that such restrictions are by no means necessary, the final decision lies with the individual operator.