New Study Finds Traditional Fire Hose Most Effective Against EV Fires

A new report from UL Research Institutes' Fire Safety Research Institute states that despite its shortcomings, the traditional fire hose remains the most effective method currently available for combating electric vehicle (EV) fires. The institute analyzed approximately 18 EV fire tests, nine of which evaluated various firefighting techniques. The study found that emerging approaches—such as vehicle fire blankets and chemical additives—cannot replace the cooling and extinguishing effectiveness achieved by applying large volumes of water. The report also notes that while water can suppress flames and reduce temperatures, it cannot halt the thermal runaway reaction once it has begun inside the battery cells. Applying large quantities of water directly onto the battery pack not only wastes water resources but may also increase the risk of ignition or re-ignition if water penetrates into unaffected cells. The study references the 2024 Tesla Semi fire incident, during which firefighters used approximately 189,000 liters of water to control the blaze, resulting in a 15-hour highway closure. Such response methods, the report suggests, may represent the best available option under real-world conditions for the foreseeable future.