The Federal Fire Service (FFS), Lagos Command, has warned that fires involving electric vehicles (EVs) require specialised knowledge, equipment, and response techniques, as Nigeria's transition towards cleaner transportation gathers momentum. Chief Superintendent of Fire, Badmus Abdulsamad, gave the warning while presenting the command's preparedness strategy for emergencies involving EVs and compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered vehicles at the 3rd auto industry summit held in Lagos. Abdulsamad said although battery-electric vehicles are statistically less likely to catch fire than conventional petrol-powered vehicles, EV fires present unique challenges because of the lithium-ion batteries that power them. He explained that such fires could be triggered by thermal runaway, a self-sustaining chemical reaction that generates extreme heat and can spread from one battery cell to neighbouring cells.
Related Articles
Don't miss out on breaking stories and in-depth articles.