Govt secret $200k spend on EV ‘bath’

The NSW Government is preparing to roll out a custom-built trailer designed to help fight EV fires and keep Sydney roads moving following an electric vehicle incident. But before putting it into play, the government will have to douse flames involving fire authorities, unions, health experts and recovery operators. Exactly how the container would be used, and who would operate it, remains a point of contention. MORE: Tesla crash triggers thermal runaway Representatives of NSW Fire and Rescue and the Fire Brigade Employees Union were not aware of the device when initially contacted by this publication. It is not clear exactly how it would be operated. Similar in size to a shipping container, the device would be towed to crash scenes involving electric vehicles. It features a hydraulic ramp that lowers to accommodate damaged cars, and a powerful winch to haul them into place. Connections for water hoses could enable firefighters or other emergency crews to fill the bucket with water to help prevent electric vehicle fires from exploding out of control. A Transport for NSW spokesperson said that although electric vehicles “present a low fire risk … the growing popularity of EVs has prompted an exploration of opportunities to enhance EV safety across the network”. MORE: Pics reveal EV inferno horror “As part of an all-of-government focus on safety, Transport for NSW has investigated options to safely and efficiently remove and transport damaged EVs involved in a crash from the network for secure storage,” they said. “Transport for NSW, in consultation with Fire and Rescue NSW, has designed and owns a specialised vehicle trailer with the capability to load and submerge electric vehicles when required. “Submersion is a critical safety measure to reduce the risk of thermal runaway and battery fires following severe damage, for example, after a crash. MORE: Do Aus buses have a ‘kill switch’? “Similar concepts are used overseas but would be too large to efficiently navigate Sydney’s road network. By building the trailer in NSW, Transport has been able to significantly lower costs around this trial and improve collaboration with other agencies on the concept. “Further testing of the unit and consultation with key stakeholders will now be carried out ahead of any future deployment.” A Fire and Rescue NSW spokesperson said that Transport for NSW developed the trailer “as a potential fire protection measure” and is working with other government agencies including fire authorities to establish how it should be used. “The initiative is in its early stages of development with consultation due to commence with key stakeholders such as unions, health and safety representatives and other emergency services.” Similar devices have already been employed overseas. Rather than extinguishing a conventional fire, the trailer be used to cool batteries at risk of igniting into “thermal runaway” fires that pose extreme hazards. Electric vehicle fires have been linked to deadly disasters at sea, including the Morning Midas, Fremantle Highway and Felicity Ace fires that destroyed three ships and around 10,000 vehicles. MORE: EV fire sparks warning for Aussie drivers The Federal Government’s National Electric Vehicle Strategy says “EVs are less likely to catch fire than [internal combustion engine] vehicles, this does not mean we can ignore the potential for EV battery electric shocks or fire related incidents”. National training rolled out by the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) states that “just like conventional vehicles, EVs may become involved in a fire”. “Their characteristics will be similar to other vehicles unless, or until, the [lithium ion battery] becomes involved. MORE: EVs banned over ship fires “Thermal runaway is a phenomenon where a [lithium ion battery] cell enters a state of uncontrolled self-heating. It often begins when the heat generated inside the cell exceeds the heat that can be released to its surroundings. “This self-sustaining reaction rapidly increases internal temperature and pressure, causing the battery cells to vent hot, toxic and flammable vapours. If these vapours ignite, they can cause flash fires, jet-like flames or explosions.” MORE: Flooding exposes ‘extreme risk’ of electric cars AFAC doctrine states that “if a thermal runaway event has occurred, it may be a long duration incident and may require significant resources to control”. “Previous incidents indicate that between 4,000 and 30,000 litres of water may be required for extinguishment and cooling, depending on the extent and quantity of damaged cells.” It also encourages firefighters to monitor the temperature of a damaged EV battery for at least an hour before moving it, regardless of the effect on traffic. The new EV fire container could help get traffic moving quicker following a smash, by helping control battery temperatures as a vehicle is transported away from the scene. First responders have been warned that the thermal incident hazard “can exist for over four weeks post extinguishment”, and that damaged EVs must be stored carefully. Police, ambulance and rescue services have been instructed to alert fire brigades when electric vehicles are involved in a collision. Firefighters use thermal cameras to look for “hot spots” in vehicle batteries that show a thermal runaway fire may occur, watch for high-pressure gas release and listen for popping sounds that indicate a vehicle’s battery is cooking. Federally funded nationwide electric vehicle training for firefighters was published in 2025, offering instructions for how to cool a battery using fire hoses. But there are no guidelines surrounding the new bucket system. Built by Berry Howe Industries in Unanderra, the $186,230 trailer is currently stored in a Transport for NSW holding facility in Western Sydney. Testing and training for the new device is set to start soon.