Malaysia has experienced 27 instances of electric vehicles (EV) and hybrid car fires, according to the deputy minister.

In a question-and-answer session held at the Dewan Negara today, the topic of discussion was the fire safety measures for electric vehicles and hybrid cars in Malaysia. The Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government, Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu, addressed the concerns raised by Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim regarding the recent increase in electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid car fire incidents.

Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu acknowledged the environmental benefits of electric vehicles, stating that they can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels. However, he emphasised that they still pose a significant fire risk. He mentioned that electric vehicle fires present a high level of risk during firefighting operations, making them one of the biggest challenges.

To address this issue, the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) is focusing on reducing the heat level of the battery to prevent electric vehicle fires from spreading. Currently, water is the cooling agent used by the department to extinguish fire on electric vehicles. However, the department is considering the use of alternative cooling agents in electric vehicle extinguishing operations.

The department is studying the use of special equipment, including cooling agents or immersion containers, as alternatives in electric vehicle extinguishing operations. Some potential special equipment that the department may consider include thermal imaging cameras, electro-isolating materials, special fire extinguishing agents, modular firefighting systems, protective clothing with special insulating materials, and traction control systems.

The exact equipment that will be used depends on the specific requirements and recommendations from electric vehicle manufacturers. International guidelines and local regulations also play a role in the selection of the appropriate equipment.

In response to Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim's question about the ministry's plans to purchase and supply fire blankets to fire stations in major cities, Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu mentioned that the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department has received fire blankets from the Malaysia Zero Emission Vehicle Association (MyZEVA) in addition to the fire blankets they procured this year. The distribution of these fire blankets is ongoing.

From January 2023 to July 2022, the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department recorded a total of 27 cases of fire involving electric vehicles and hybrid cars nationwide, averaging approximately 10 cases per year. The department is committed to ensuring the safety of the public and is taking steps to improve fire safety measures for electric vehicles and hybrid cars in Malaysia.

Malaysia has experienced 27 instances of electric vehicles (EV) and hybrid car fires, according to the deputy minister.