Renault’s “Fireman Access” Tackles EV Fires - Free for All Automakers

EV fires are always a hot topic, with automakers, battery manufacturers, and independent organizations constantly testing new methods to prevent or suppress them. The latest player in this effort is Renault, which has introduced a fire-suppression system called “Fireman Access.”

The “Fireman Access” is designed to help first responders put out EV fires as quickly as they would fires in traditional combustion engine vehicles.

The system works with an adhesive disc inside the high-voltage battery pack that covers an opening. If the battery catches fire, water pressure knocks the disc loose, flooding the battery and cooling all cells at once. Renault says this method can stop thermal runaway—a phenomenon where battery cells burn uncontrollably for hours.

Seven patents have been filed for this system, for the “Fireman Access” system which can already be found in Renault, Dacia, and Mobilize electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. In a move similar to Volvo’s free licensing of seatbelt technology in 1959, Renault is offering the system to other automakers at no cost.

They also claim it reduces water usage by 90% and can extinguish EV fires in just a few minutes.

Although EV fires are statistically less common than fires in internal-combustion vehicles, they are much harder to put out and can take hours to fully control. Advancements in fire-suppression tech are key to making EVs safer and boosting consumer confidence.

Other companies are tackling this issue too. LG Chem has developed a temperature-sensitive material that acts as a fuse, cutting off electricity flow when overheating is detected to prevent thermal runaway.

Stellantis has filed a patent for an EV-specific exhaust system designed to safely vent and treat gases like hydrogen and methane, which are released during thermal runaway and can cause fires.

While EVs already come with sophisticated thermal management systems, ongoing innovations in fire prevention and suppression remain essential as the technology continues to evolve.