Some years ago I owned an automotive test facility that amongst other things had 14 engine test cells. These had automated fire suppression systems as it was not unusual for a prototype engine to have escaping parts which could break fuel lines and lead to fires. It was relatively drama free when it happened as the automated systems would take over shutting off the fuel supply, air supply and filling the test cell with CO2 and it would all be over in minutes. The test cells were located in a building where a lot of other types of testing work was carried out but nothing ever broke out from inside the test cells.

I have been out of the testing business for a few years now, but my understanding is, that battery testing facilities must be in their own remote facility and can not be integrated within a multi purpose building and require a much higher level capacity of fire suppression system than an engine test cell. If a battery does let go, it is not over in minutes it can take some hours to suppress the fire.

I also subcontract assemble vehicles and for the hybrid vehicles I have had to set up an isolated storage facility for the batteries as the insurers will not allow me to store them in the main building.

I am sure as the technology develops so will the ability to mitigate the risk, but at the moment it does appear to me that there is a view that a battery fire is more difficult to manage than a petrol fire. Of course if you want to go for a lower fire risk the answer would be to get everyone to drive a diesel............