Electric vehicle (EV) adoption is accelerating worldwide, and EV charging infrastructure is rapidly expanding across residential buildings, commercial developments, fleet depots, shopping malls, and public car parks.
According to the International Energy Agency’s Global EV Outlook 2025, the number of EVs globally is expected to reach nearly 200 million by 2030. As more EVs are parked and charged in enclosed or semi-enclosed environments, fire safety strategies must evolve to address the unique risks associated with lithium-ion battery fires.
Traditional fire protection systems remain essential, but EV incidents present challenges that often require additional targeted protection measures – especially in parking structures and charging bays.
This is where targeted under-vehicle fire suppression systems like EV FirePro are becoming increasingly important.
Why EV Battery Fires Are Different
Unlike conventional petrol or diesel vehicle fires, EV battery fires involve lithium-ion battery systems that behave differently under fire conditions.
One of the biggest concerns is thermal runaway – a chain reaction that occurs when a battery cell overheats and spreads heat to neighbouring cells inside the battery pack.
Thermal runaway can lead to:
- Rapid fire growth
- Extremely high temperatures
- Flammable and toxic gas release
- Re-ignition hours or days later
- Fire spread to nearby vehicles and structures
Because EV battery packs are typically installed underneath the vehicle floor, fires often develop in areas that are difficult for conventional overhead suppression systems to cool effectively.
The Growing Risk Inside Car Parks and Charging Areas
As EV charging moves into underground car parks, multi-storey parking structures, residential basements, and commercial developments, fire safety risks become more complex.
Car parks present several challenges during EV fire incidents:
- Limited ventilation
- Restricted firefighter access
- Close vehicle spacing
- High heat accumulation
- Smoke containment
- Increased exposure to nearby vehicles and building services
In enclosed environments, a single EV fire can rapidly escalate into a larger incident affecting multiple vehicles and surrounding infrastructure.
Several recent car park fires have demonstrated the scale of potential damage.
Underground Car Park Fire – South Korea
A major underground parking fire in Incheon, South Korea reportedly took emergency responders more than eight hours to extinguish. More than 140 vehicles were destroyed, residents were displaced for weeks, and structural damage exceeded USD 2.8 million.
Luton Airport Car Park Fire – UK
A fire at the Luton Airport terminal car park destroyed approximately 1,300 to 1,400 vehicles and caused major structural damage, resulting in losses estimated at around £20 million.
Stavanger Airport Car Park Fire – Norway
A car park fire at Stavanger Airport destroyed around 300 vehicles and caused partial structural collapse, with damages estimated at approximately €60–70 million.
These incidents highlight the growing need for EV-specific fire protection strategies in parking facilities.
Why Traditional Overhead Sprinklers Can Struggle
Traditional sprinkler systems play a critical role in fire protection by:
- Controlling overall fire growth
- Cooling the environment
- Supporting evacuation routes
- Reducing ceiling temperatures
However, EV battery fires often require additional cooling directly around the battery pack area.
Because battery packs are located beneath the vehicle, overhead sprinklers may not always deliver sufficient cooling to the source of thermal runaway.
EV incidents may require:
- Direct under-vehicle cooling
- Sustained water application
- Extended cooling durations
- Exposure protection for nearby vehicles
- Re-ignition management strategies
This creates a protection gap at ground level inside EV charging bays and parking spaces.
What Is EV FirePro?
EV FirePro is a targeted under-vehicle fire suppression system designed specifically for EV parking bays and charging areas.
The system is installed within the parking bay and delivers upward and lateral water discharge toward the vehicle undercarriage, where EV battery packs are commonly located.
Its purpose is to provide early targeted cooling and help limit fire propagation inside car parks and charging facilities.
EV FirePro is designed to complement existing fire protection systems, including:
- Sprinkler systems
- Hydrants
- Hose reels
- Fire alarm systems
- Smoke control systems
- Emergency response procedures
How EV FirePro Works
EV FirePro operates through a five-stage process designed to support early intervention and containment.
1. Detection
Integrated heat sensors detect abnormal temperature increases near the vehicle floor area.
2. Automatic Activation
Once elevated temperatures are detected, the system automatically activates and begins water discharge.
3. Targeted Cooling
Low-profile nozzles direct water upward toward the EV battery pack and laterally toward surrounding exposures.
4. Containment Support
Targeted cooling helps reduce radiant heat, slow thermal runaway propagation, and lower the risk of fire spread to adjacent vehicles and ceiling services.
5. Firefighter Support
By slowing fire growth and reducing heat intensity, the system helps improve access and response conditions for emergency services.
What Targeted Under-Vehicle Cooling Achieves
The goal of EV FirePro is cooling and containment – not instant extinguishment of a lithium-ion battery pack.
Targeted water discharge helps achieve several critical fire protection objectives.
Cooling the Battery Pack Area
Delivering water directly beneath the vehicle helps remove heat from the battery area and may help slow thermal runaway propagation between cells and modules.
Reducing Fire Spread
Lateral spray patterns help cool nearby vehicle surfaces and reduce radiant heat exposure to surrounding vehicles and building systems.
Supporting Re-Ignition Management
EV battery fires can reignite after the initial incident appears controlled. Sustained cooling supports ongoing fire management and monitoring efforts.
Key Features of EV FirePro
EV FirePro is designed specifically for integration into EV charging bays and car park environments.
Key features include:
- Low-profile design at only 3 cm thick
- Under-vehicle targeted spray coverage
- 21 integrated spray nozzles
- Built-in heat sensors for automatic activation
- Retrofit-friendly installation
- Available in 304 or 316 stainless steel construction
- Anti-trip design for vehicle environments
Independent Fire Testing Results
EV FirePro underwent independent fire testing by Applus+ Laboratories using a Renault Zoe EV battery fire scenario.
According to the test summary:
- No fire spread occurred to the adjacent vehicle
- Temperatures around the ignited vehicle remained below 60°C
- Maximum ceiling temperature stayed below 250°C
- Incident heat flux remained below 2.5 kW/m²
The test report concluded that the system met the testing protocol requirements under the evaluated conditions.
Where EV FirePro Can Be Used
EV FirePro is designed for environments where EVs are parked or charged indoors or in semi-enclosed areas.
Typical applications include:
Underground Car Parks
High-consequence environments with limited ventilation and restricted access.
Multi-Storey Parking Facilities
Areas with high vehicle density and increased exposure risk between parking bays.
Residential Basements
Apartment and condominium parking facilities require enhanced tenant safety.
Shopping Centres and Retail Developments
Locations where operational continuity and public safety are critical.
Fleet Depots
Facilities with multiple EVs charging simultaneously over extended periods.
EV Charging Hubs
Dedicated charging facilities with concentrated electrical infrastructure.
The Future of EV Fire Protection
As EV adoption continues to grow, fire safety strategies are evolving alongside charging infrastructure development.
Future EV fire protection systems are expected to incorporate:
- Smarter detection technologies
- Real-time thermal monitoring
- Automated emergency integration
- Enhanced cooling strategies
- Improved fire response coordination
Targeted under-vehicle cooling systems are becoming an increasingly important part of modern EV fire protection planning, particularly in enclosed parking and charging environments.
Conclusion
The rapid expansion of electric vehicles is transforming transportation infrastructure worldwide, but it also introduces new fire protection challenges that conventional systems were not originally designed to address alone.
EV battery fires can escalate rapidly, generate extreme heat, and create complex suppression and re-ignition risks – especially inside enclosed car parks and charging facilities.
Targeted under-vehicle fire suppression solutions like EV FirePro help address this critical protection gap by delivering early cooling directly to the battery pack area while supporting containment and reducing fire spread risks.
As EV charging infrastructure continues expanding globally, integrated fire protection strategies will play an increasingly important role in improving safety, protecting property, and supporting the long-term growth of electric mobility.
FAQs
1. What is EV FirePro?
EV FirePro is a targeted under-vehicle fire suppression system designed for EV parking bays and charging areas to help cool battery pack areas and reduce fire spread risks.
2. Why are EV battery fires difficult to manage?
Lithium-ion battery fires can involve thermal runaway, rapid heat escalation, toxic gas release, and re-ignition risks that require extended cooling and containment strategies.
3. How is EV FirePro different from traditional sprinklers?
Traditional sprinklers primarily cool the surrounding environment from above, while EV FirePro delivers targeted cooling directly beneath the vehicle where EV battery packs are located.
4. Can EV FirePro replace sprinkler systems?
No. EV FirePro is designed to complement existing fire protection systems such as sprinklers, hydrants, fire alarms, and smoke control systems.
5. Where can EV FirePro be installed?
The system is suitable for underground car parks, EV charging bays, residential basements, commercial parking facilities, fleet depots, and charging hubs.