Auto Industry Criticised For Battery Safety

February 27, 2023

Auto Industry Criticised For Battery Safety

Feb 27, 2023

Auto Industry Criticised For Battery Safety, Evolution Forwarding

According to an article in The Loadstar, the automobile and battery industries have been criticised by ocean safety agencies for not taking the safety issues involved in moving electric vehicles seriously enough.

Concerns have been raised that an electric vehicle fire on board a ro-ro ferry would present more serious challenges than a normal fire. Lithium-ion batteries are known to burn at high temperatures and the need to douse a blaze with water may cause a ferry to become unstable.

However, one major industry expert, who had attended two major conferences for the battery industry recently, suggested safety issues were “apparently not on the industry’s radar”.

The Loadstar reported that the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders have since replied “Safety is the number-one priority, and all vehicles, electric or otherwise, imported into and exported from the UK must comply with applicable legislation.”

One roro operator does not accept any used electric vehicles on their vessels, due to the unpredictability of the vehicle’s condition. However, most other operators treat all vehicles the same.

The safety involved with moving lithium batteries is a hot topic right now. The British International Freight Association recently warned their members of the risks, while IATA has made changes to the rules for air freighting them.

While Lithium batteries are considered safe to users, when installed in devices like mobile phones or electric vehicles, they can actually be punctured and can ignite or even explode. When handled or stored together, this can can lead to fires, which is why they are considered dangerous goods.

 

 

 

Follow Us

Stay up to date with our news and articles on social media

Contact Us

Tel 0800 434 6244
Email info@evolutionforwarding.com

brought to you by the dangerous goods people

Evolution Forwarding offer a range of dangerous goods and logistics services including packing, classification, training, DGSA services, air freight, ocean freight and road freight.

Related Articles

Auto Industry Criticised For Battery Safety, Evolution Forwarding

Lithium Battery Fires Release Toxic Gas

​The issue of moving lithium batteries has been highlighted by recent issues with ship fires, but these battery fires also release a toxic ‘off-gas’.

brought to you by the dangerous goods people

Evolution Forwarding offer a range of dangerous goods and logistics services including packing, classification, training, DGSA services, air freight, ocean freight and road freight.

Follow us on social media

Observations From IATA’s Global Dangerous Goods Outlook

Observations From IATA’s Global Dangerous Goods Outlook

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently announced the results of their annual 2023 Global Dangerous Goods Confidence Outlook, with the below observations. The results highlight the need to reduce process complexity, establish effective staff...

read more
Battery Fire At Mobility Scooter Warehouse

Battery Fire At Mobility Scooter Warehouse

We may be sounding like a broken record when reporting on lithium batteries, but firefighters had to fight a blaze caused by the dangerous goods risk for over 12 hours at the weekend. The fire broke out in the small hours of Sunday morning at a distribution centre for...

read more
Lithium Battery Fires Release Toxic Gas

Lithium Battery Fires Release Toxic Gas

​The issue of moving or storing lithium batteries has been highlighted by recent issues with ship fires, but according to a report in The Loadstar, the TT Club have highlighted that these battery fires also release a toxic 'off-gas'. The gases pose an explosive risk...

read more
New UK Customs Border Model Confirmed

New UK Customs Border Model Confirmed

​ The government have just released details of their new border controls, via their Border Target Operating Model (BOTM), with a phased introduction starting from January 2024. Following Brexit, new procedures have been in place for moving goods between the EU and UK...

read more