Managing fire safety of Battery Electric Vehicles

Authors: Halim, A Download Paper

Cite As:
Halim, A 2024, 'Managing fire safety of Battery Electric Vehicles', in Daniel Johansson & Håkan Schunnesson (eds), MassMin 2024: Proceedings of the International Conference & Exhibition on Mass Mining, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, pp. 1150-1165.



Abstract:
The use of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in underground mines offers a significant benefit than the traditional use of diesel machines: healthier working conditions by producing zero toxic gases & Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) emissions and lowering heat & noise levels. Other benefits include potential reduction of ventilation and air conditioning costs and potential reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Despite this, the use of BEVs in underground mines is still limited. One of many reasons is that the fire safety of BEVs is still not well understood. The fire risks of BEVs are different to the fire risks of diesel machines. BEVs do not carry large amounts of combustible liquids (diesel fuel and engine oil). They also do not have a hot exhaust system. However, a BEV fire is far more difficult to extinguish due to the possibility of the battery re-igniting after the initial fire is extinguished. Currently, there is insufficient data to suggest that BEV fires are more common or more dangerous than diesel fires in underground mines and there are no recorded fatalities related to BEV fires in underground mines. Despite this, a BEV fire has much higher consequences in an underground mine than a diesel fire because it is far more difficult to extinguish. Therefore, it is crucial that underground mines have adequate understanding of BEV fire safety. This paper outlines measures to prevent thermal runaway, the main cause of BEV fires, and how to manually extinguish a BEV fire and to manage battery charging bay fire safety in underground mines.