A fireman told me about 6 years ago that they were getting extra training to deal with EV fires. The bottom line was to leave them burn and take limited action if/when the danger to life or spread increased.
e was a video on youtube showing an example of an ev battery post damage.
A car was left with battery in it. Over time the Li battery started to react, slowly but increasing. They then immersed the whole thing in a container full of water and left it.
Apparently it is the electrolyte that is a big factor in fires. Solid state electrolytes is the preferred route as they don’t react like the gel/liquid ones. Basically chemically (wet) inert but still active. A US professor demonstrated one. He made a”battery” by sandwiching a solid electrolyte between aluminium foil layers. Connected a bulb to indicate power on. He then took scissors and repeatedly cut it down to a small size. It continued powering the bulb with no problems.
I am wary of recharging Li batteries. There are sensible precautions. A proper recharger ( avoiding online auction sites and cheap rubbish), not enclosing the battery/device to allow air cooling, avoid overnight if possible. My iphone has a built in charging management linked to reducing heating during charging. It does get warm if put on a charging pad. Useful device for a short top-up but I prefer a cable/usb connection for longer, phone on it’s side to maximise air contact.
The Plus Four usb sockets are in the back of the glovebox. Not ideal but I keep the phone outside and the box closes without pinching over the cable.
Am I paranoid? I don’t think so. Sensibly careful? Yes.
