Fire prevention and mitigation for EVs in confined areas (2ZERO Partnership)

This Destination addresses activities that improve the climate and environmental footprint, as well as competitiveness, of different transport modes.

The areas of rail and air traffic management will be addressed through dedicated Institutional European Partnerships and are therefore not included in this document.

This Destination contributes directly to the Strategic Plan’s Key Strategic Orientations ‘Green transition’, ‘Digital transition’ and ‘A more resilient, competitive, inclusive and democratic Europe’.

In line with the Strategic Plan, the overall expected impact of this Destination is to contribute to the ‘Achieving sustainable and competitive transport modes’.

The main impacts to be generated by topics under this Destination are:

Zero-emission road transport

1. Accelerated uptake of a zero-tailpipe emission ecosystem, with interoperable technological solutions developed at system level (vehicles, infrastructure, user and energy grid) that support the global competitiveness of the EU transport and mobility system.
2. Zero-tailpipe emission mobility solutions developed that are affordable, efficient, user-friendly, inclusive, safe and circular with concepts and technologies that are easy to deploy, considering needs, behaviours and socio-economic conditions of all end-users.
3. Clean mobility solutions for a climate neutral and environmentally friendly and zero pollution mobility with a higher level of circularity;
4. Increased responsiveness of zero tailpipe emission vehicles and systems to diverse societal interests and concerns.

Aviation

1. Enable breakthrough technologies and innovations that will contribute to the design (addressing also eco-design and circularity principles), manufacturing, maintenance and operations of new generation aircrafts, also powered by renewable energy and sustainable aviation fuels, for a competitive and clean EU aviation ecosystem (including airports).
2. Derisk and accelerate the introduction of new digital technologies (with emphasis on AI) at all levels in the industrial aviation ecosystem, while addressing all safety-related issues in collaboration with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Waterborne transport

1. Higher autonomy range in electric and hybrid vessels.
2. Uptake of renewable and low carbon fuels and improved knowledge on the suitability of innovative renewable and low carbon fuels and other energy carriers for waterborne transport.
3. Support the objectives of the European Port Strategy and Waterborne Industrial Strategy, contributing the role of ports as energy hubs, improving efficiency and safety through digitalization, improving the resilience and security of the transport network, as well as increasing the competitiveness of the industrial and technology EU capabilities.
4. Significant reduction of emissions from large vessels due to the merging of energy efficiency and renewable and low carbon fuels.
5. Sustainability of waterborne transport by design, considering air and water pollution, circularity and life-cycle assessments in shipbuilding.
6. Improved safety of seafarers, port workers and the environment.

Transport-related environment and health

1. The better monitoring of the environmental performance and enforcement of emissions regulation and biodiversity protection in order to reduce the overall environmental impact of transport (e.g.: as regards biodiversity, noise, pollution and waste) on human health and ecosystems.

Legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in both Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) and Innovation Actions (IAs) falling under this destination. For additional information please see “Restrictions on the participation of legal entities established in China” found in General Annex B of the General Annexes.

Expected Outcome:

Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Standardised fire risk assessment for EVs’^[1] fire hazards in constrained spaces and areas such as underground/ built-in parking lots, garages, ferryboats and depots with and without charging facilities and during mono- or bidirectional charging.
• Innovative on-board and/or off-board affordable fire-detection, suppression, and containment measures and techniques.
• Standardised fire protocols and open evaluation frameworks.
• Enhanced public perception of fire safety across all EV categories.

Scope:

The overall fire safety risks associated with Electric Vehicles (EVs) are substantially lower compared to those of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles. However, public concerns and perceptions about EV fire safety may still persist. This necessitates a thorough examination and addressing of potential causes of EV fire to alleviate any remaining worries. This necessitates a thorough examination and addressing of potential causes of EV fire to alleviate any remaining worries..

Proposed actions are expected to address all of the following aspects:

• Development of the most comprehensive database about fire accidents involving all EV categories at the European level.
• Mitigation measures and solutions in case of thermal runaway of batteries, if not prevented in the first place, by appropriate design or by active measures to effectively avoid open fire and its possible progression.
• A clear recognition of EV risks by improved on-board diagnosis and real-time monitoring, leading to early warning and to appropriate countermeasures.
• Development of innovative and affordable fire detection, prevention and optionally suppression solutions for constrained spaces and areas such as underground/ built-in parking lots, garages, ferryboats and depots with and without charging facilities and during mono- or bidirectional charging. This can include e.g. measures for thermal runaway, fire-resistant systems/materials, easy and safe access to the battery for removal from the vehicle.
• Development of firefighting protocols to deal with EVs on fire in narrow situations, essential for quick and effective intervention, including integration with existing safety standards (e.g., ISO, NFPA) to ensure smooth adoption and compatibility.
• Social awareness for a transparent, informed public perception of the safety level of all EV categories, also with the development of a European based platform for dissemination and information with direct involvement of main stakeholders.

This topic requires the effective contribution of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts, institutions as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities.

This topic implements the co-programmed European Partnership on ‘Towards zero emission road transport’ (2ZERO). As such, projects resulting from this topic will be expected to report on the results to the European Partnership ‘Towards zero emission road transport’ (2ZERO) in support of the monitoring of its KPIs.

The topic is open to international collaboration, and the funded project are expected to seek synergies with the Sustainable Transport Forum^[2] and with the EV TCP Task 49^[3].

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[1] The focus of this topic is on vehicles in categories, M1, N1 and HDV including L-category vehicles as far as commercially available with 400V-AC or DC charging connectors

[2] In particular on fire safety issues, see e.g. “Guidance of fire safety for electric vehicles parked and charging infrastructure in covered parking spaces”, doi:10.2832/6681178, https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/c2c1f892-f3ef-11ef-b7db-01aa75ed71a1/language-en, last visited 2025-04-30

[3] Electric Vehicle Technology Collaboration Programme, Task 49: EV Fire Safety, https://evtcp.org/task/task-49/, last visited 2025-04-30