Renault opens up to all carmakers its own technology for extinguishing fires in EVs

Renault Group has developed Fireman Access, a system that allows fires in electric vehicles to be extinguished ten times faster and with less water. The company is now making this technology available to all car manufacturers.

Although electric cars ignite less frequently than petrol cars, their fires are more difficult to extinguish. The battery burns due to a chemical reaction and can reignite even after it has been completely extinguished. In addition, when ignited, toxic gases are released.

Fireman Access is a special adhesive disc that is attached over the hole in the battery. When pressurised by a jet of water, it opens, allowing rescuers to quickly cool all the battery cells. Renault claims it is the only effective way to stop thermal runaway.

Renault claims extinguishing with Fireman Access takes just a few minutes, whereas traditional methods can take hours and huge volumes of water.

Renault has already implemented the system in its electric cars and plug-in hybrids. It is now opening up the patent to all carmakers. More technical details are available on the company's website.

Source: Renault