Mobility is becoming increasingly powered by electricity, which brings new risks, including novel fire hazards. Batteries don’t burn like petrol, and fires in electric vehicles are often more complex, more dangerous and more destructive than those in cars with internal combustion engines. The greatest risks arise from improper charging or damaged electrical infrastructure, experts warned at the event Ko zagori elektrika (When Electricity Catches Fire), held on Friday, 19 September 2025, in Ljubečna as part of the International Trade (MOS) Fair in Celje. During Slovenia’s first-ever controlled ignition and extinguishing of an electric car fire, specialists explained that fire risks can be significantly reduced through proper installation and maintenance of both vehicles and charging stations. They also stressed that the financial losses from such incidents can be mitigated with appropriate insurance coverage.
“Electricity and batteries as energy storage devices are not just part of the future – they’re already embedded in our everyday lives, and their importance will only continue to grow,” emphasised Andrej Brglez, Director of the Institute of Civilisation and Culture (ICK). This, he explained, was the motivation behind the experiment – the first controlled test of an electric car fire in Slovenia – carried out by experts from across the e-mobility sector at the Safe Driving Centre in Ljubečna.
Brglez acknowledged that scepticism and gradual acceptance of new technologies are to be expected, particularly at a time when innovation is advancing faster than at any point in human history. “Between 1900 and 1910, people regarded petrol cars with suspicion, calling them ‘burning torches on wheels’. Today, electric vehicles raise new questions – and rightly so. But now we also know more. Electric vehicles are entering a market that’s tightly regulated in terms of safety and shaped by more than a century of experience with internal combustion vehicles. Gas-powered cars went through this process before them, and hydrogen-powered vehicles are doing so now,” he said.
According to Brglez, the demonstration proved that effective solutions for extinguishing electrical vehicle fires do exist, while also highlighting the need for caution in our homes. “We never used to fill up petrol cars at home – but with electric vehicles, we will. This is one of their great advantages, but it also means we must regularly check and maintain our charging infrastructure and wiring to ensure our home ‘petrol station’ remains safe,” he warned.
A fire in an electric car can cause significant damage
Zavarovalnica Triglav has not yet seen a rise in claims related to electric vehicle fires, but when such incidents do occur, the damage is often more severe and more expensive than in fires involving cars with internal combustion engines. “A fire in an electric car – which is usually charged in a home garage, under a carport or in a public car park – is very specific and far more difficult to extinguish. It typically results in the total destruction of the vehicle and often causes additional damage to nearby buildings and cars. That’s why it’s essential to ensure the safety of electric vehicles and charging stations, and to take out appropriate insurance to cover potential financial losses in the event of a fire,” emphasised Jan Jelenc, a Claims Assessor at Zavarovalnica Triglav. He also noted that insuring an electric vehicle costs no more than insuring a conventional car of the same purchase value.
Car fires are covered under B combination partial comprehensive insurance. Owners of electric vehicles may also wish to consider increasing the sum insured under their motor vehicle liability insurance, which covers damage to other property. Fire damage to your home is covered by the DOM home insurance, while damage to public or commercial buildings is covered by fire insurance.Reliable electrical infrastructure
"As a leading provider of electric vehicles, charging stations and battery systems, we emphasise that safe, reliable and professionally installed infrastructure is essential. Proper, professional installation, regular electrical testing and consistent maintenance of all components are crucial to ensure safe operation, long equipment life and a smooth user experience,” said Marko Femc, Director of Plan-net avto. According to him, this approach not only guarantees optimal system performance, but also enhances safety for both users and the environment. The company is aware that “high-quality implementation and regular maintenance of electrical infrastructure can play a decisive role in accelerating development and building confidence in the sustainable mobility of the future”.
Serious fire risks that can be managed
Lithium-ion batteries are indispensable for electric vehicles, portable electronics and energy storage systems, but they also present serious fire risks. Dr Aleš Jug, President of the Slovenian Fire Protection Association, explained that thermal runaway can trigger intense combustion, releasing extreme heat and toxic gases such as hydrogen fluoride and heavy metal compounds. “These fires differ from fossil fuel fires and often cannot be extinguished with conventional firefighting methods. They require special extinguishing agents and trained firefighters who understand battery combustion dynamics. With safer battery systems, updated protocols and modern technology, these risks can be effectively managed, ensuring greater safety for people and the environment.” Jug noted.
Batteries can catch fire in several ways – through mechanical damage, improper charging, technical faults or overheating.
“The chemical reaction inside the battery is extremely violent and doesn’t require oxygen to ignite, which is why some batteries explode and eject burning particles, spreading the fire even more quickly to nearby objects. During combustion, gases harmful to the environment, such as hydrogen, methane, ethene, ethyne and propane, are released, and flame temperatures can easily exceed 1,000° C. Even a small battery can produce very high flames, release large amounts of energy and generate dense smoke. This is why the battery must be flooded and cooled until the temperature at its core drops and the fire stops. Afterwards, the battery must be carefully monitored, as the risk of reignition remains,” explained Matej Škerbic, Director of Bonpet.
When e-scooters, laptops and smartphones catch fire
Battery-powered devices, including e-micromobility vehicles, which are often charged indoors, are becoming an increasingly common source of fires. In the second part of the When Electricity Catches Fire event at the International Trade and Business Fair (MOS) in Celje, visitors witnessed a live demonstration of the ignition and extinguishing of an e-scooter, a smartphone and a laptop. Experts then discussed the specific challenges of extinguishing battery fires today and in the future, and shared practical recommendations for improving safety, so that we are (even) better prepared for the (un)predictable.
As part of the When Electricity Catches Fire event, MOS visitors also had the opportunity to try out the preventive firefighting vehicle simulators used by the Firefighting Association of Slovenia, with the support of Zavarovalnica Triglav, to educate the public on how to respond effectively to fires in the home.
