Yes, you can put out a fire in an electric car, but it requires a different and more resource-intensive approach than a gasoline car fire. The primary danger is the high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack, which can experience thermal runaway—a self-sustaining chemical fire that is extremely difficult to extinguish and can reignite hours or even days later.
The key is massive and sustained cooling. While a standard ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher can tackle fires in the cabin or non-battery components, it is ineffective on the battery itself. Fire departments are now trained to use copious amounts of water, often thousands of gallons, directly onto the battery compartment to cool it below its ignition temperature. Simply smothering the fire does not work.
| Firefighting Consideration | Gasoline Vehicle | Electric Vehicle (Battery Fire) |
|---|
| Primary Extinguishing Agent | Dry Chemical, Foam | Massive Quantities of Water |
| Key Tactic | Smothering / Oxygen Deprivation | Sustained Cooling |
| Re-ignition Risk | Low (if fuel source is removed) | Very High (Thermal Runaway) |
| Typical Water Used | 500-1,000 gallons | 2,000-40,000+ gallons |
| Main Hazard | Flammable Fuel | High-Voltage System, Toxic Fumes |
For a driver, the immediate action is always the same: safely pull over, turn the car off, evacuate everyone at least 100 feet away, and call 911 immediately. Never attempt to open the hood or touch the vehicle if you suspect a battery fire. Inform the dispatcher it is an electric vehicle so responders can bring the appropriate equipment. While EV fires make headlines, they are statistically far less common than fires in internal combustion engine vehicles.
