TL;DR
- EV charging is expanding rapidly across Australia, driven by fleet electrification, workplace charging and NCC requirements for EV-ready buildings.¹
- Australian research shows EVs are not more likely to catch fire than internal combustion engine vehicles, but lithium battery fires behave differently when they do occur.²
- Fire authorities classify EV charging and EV chargers as special hazards in many building contexts, particularly enclosed or complex car parks.³,⁴
- EV charging changes the fire engineering problem, affecting smoke management, suppression systems, emergency response and business continuity.¹,³
- National and state guidance (ABCB, AFAC, FRNSW) increasingly points to the need for specialist fire safety assessment in higher-risk or complex buildings.¹,³,⁴
- Early involvement of a fire engineer helps translate evolving guidance into compliant, site-specific strategies and defensible fire engineering reports.¹,³
- Engaging a fire engineer early costs far less than redesigns, approval delays, operational downtime or insurance issues later.⁵
Electric vehicles are here – is your building ready?
Electric vehicle adoption is accelerating across Australia, with EV drivers increasingly expecting reliable, convenient access to charging stations at workplaces, apartment buildings, shopping centres and other commercial sites. Many companies are now installing EV chargers to support fleets, customers and staff, while new developments are being designed with off-street parking and future charging network capacity in mind.¹
The National Construction Code (NCC) is pushing more buildings to be EV-ready, leading to a rapid increase in the installation of dedicated EV chargers, AC chargers, DC fast chargers, and DC fast-charging infrastructure in large car parks.¹ In some buildings, EV charging has also emerged through the use of a standard power point, particularly in older car parks or interim charging arrangements. These systems rely on building power, electricity supply, phase configuration, load management and increasingly energy management systems.
At the same time, media reporting on battery fires has created confusion. Headlines often suggest EVs or fast chargers are inherently unsafe. Yet, Australian research and fire authority data presents a more balanced picture.²,⁶
What we actually know about EV fire risk
EVs versus ICE vehicles – what the research shows
Australian research commissioned by the Australian Building Codes Board compared fires involving electric vehicles and internal combustion engine vehicles in car parks. The findings showed no evidence that EVs, EV chargers or EV charging stations are more likely to be involved in fires than conventional cars.²
From a fire engineering perspective, this indicates the vehicle itself is not the primary issue. The challenge lies in how electric vehicle charging systems interact with building fire safety systems, electrical infrastructure and emergency response.¹,²
Lithium-ion batteries and thermal runaway
Lithium battery fires are uncommon, but their behaviour differs significantly from liquid fuel fires. When battery fires do occur, they may involve thermal runaway, long burn durations, high heat output, dense smoke and potential re-ignition even after suppression.²,³
These characteristics are particularly relevant in enclosed environments such as basement car parks with single-phase or three-phase power supplies feeding multiple chargers, where a fire engineering report is often required to assess risk appropriately.¹,³
What the NSW data tells us
Fire and Rescue NSW and NRMA data shows that EV fires make up a very small proportion of lithium-ion battery incidents in NSW, with most lithium battery fires involving other consumer devices.⁶ However, FRNSW consistently characterises EV incidents as low frequency but high consequence, particularly in enclosed car parks or sites with clustered chargers.⁴
Key takeaway for business owners: EVs are not inherently dangerous, but EV charging, fast charging and clustered chargers change the fire risk profile of a building.²,³,⁴
Where the complexity starts: EV charging in real buildings
Car parks and mixed-use buildings
Complexity increases when EV charging is installed in basement and podium car parks, mixed-use developments, residential towers and commercial buildings with shared access or public charging.³,⁵ These environments often include multiple charging stations, long cable runs, high electrical load and shared power point infrastructure, sometimes supported by solar power or solar PV systems.⁵
NCC requirements and evolving ABCB guidance
The ABCB’s Electric Vehicles in Buildings advisory acknowledges that while EVs are statistically less likely to be involved in fires, battery fires behave differently and require a proportionate response.¹ The guidance explicitly states that complex buildings and higher-risk environments should seek specialist fire safety assessment and advice.¹
This is particularly relevant where buildings incorporate DC fast chargers, high-capacity fast chargers, smart charging systems, smart metering and integrated energy management systems.¹
AFAC and state fire service positions
AFAC and state fire services across Australia recognise EV charging as a built-environment fire safety issue. Fire and Rescue NSW classifies EVs and EV charging stations as special hazards under the NCC, requiring certifiers to assess whether existing fire safety measures are commensurate with the associated risks.³,⁴
Key fire safety issues business owners are running into
Fire authority and insurer guidance highlights recurring issues related to charger location, smoke and heat management, detection and suppression, structural impacts and regulatory uncertainty.¹,³,⁵
Poor charger placement near evacuation routes, façades, plant rooms or fuel stores can increase risk. Battery fires may overwhelm smoke control systems designed for petrol car fires, and prolonged incidents can lead to significant business interruption, insurance disputes and loss of operations.⁴,⁵
Differences between NCC provisions and state fire authority expectations often require performance-based fire engineering solutions to resolve approval pathways.¹,³,⁴
How a fire engineer adds value to EV charging projects
A qualified fire engineer or fire protection engineer adds value by translating AFAC, ABCB and state fire service guidance into a clear, compliant, site-specific strategy. This includes performance-based fire engineering for EV parking and charging, preparation of defensible fire engineering reports, coordination with certifiers and authorities, and development of emergency response plans with local fire services.¹,³,⁴
Practical steps for business owners before you install EV charging stations
Before installing EV charging infrastructure, businesses should engage a fire engineer early, commission a fire engineering report focused on EV charging, review power and load management, assess ventilation and suppression systems, and maintain clear procedures for staff, drivers and customers.¹,⁵
EVs are reshaping how Australians move, work and access buildings. For businesses, EV charging is an opportunity – but only if fire safety is addressed properly. Evidence from Australian research, fire authorities and regulators shows that early involvement of a fire engineer significantly reduces risk, cost and uncertainty.¹⁻⁵
If you are planning electric vehicle charging or charging stations, Firecheck Consultants can assist with expert fire engineering advice, compliant fire engineering reports and practical solutions aligned with current Australian guidance.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute fire engineering advice, legal advice or a fire safety certification. The information is based on publicly available guidance and position statements from Australian regulators and fire authorities current at the time of publication.
Fire safety risks associated with electric vehicle charging, lithium battery fires and building design vary significantly depending on site conditions, building classification, occupancy, charger type and local authority requirements. Specific fire safety measures and compliance pathways should be determined through a site-specific fire engineering assessment conducted by a suitably qualified fire engineer.
While reasonable care has been taken to ensure accuracy, guidance and regulatory expectations may change. Firecheck Consultants does not accept liability for actions taken based on this article without obtaining project-specific professional advice.
Sources
- Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) – Electric Vehicles in Buildings – Advisory Note (June 2023).
- Risk & Impact Pty Ltd for the Australian Building Codes Board – EV Risk Assessment: Fire Risk of Carparks with Electric Vehicles and Chargers.
- Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) – Electric Vehicles (EV) and EV Charging Equipment in the Built Environment – Position Statement.
- Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) – Electric Vehicles (EV) and EV Charging Equipment – Position Statement.
- Local Government Insurance Services WA (LGISWA) – Electric Vehicle Charging Areas and related guidance.
- NRMA / Fire and Rescue NSW – Understanding Electric Vehicle Fires: A Comprehensive Guide.
- State Fire Services (FRNSW, QFES, ACT Fire & Rescue, Tasmania Fire Service) – guidance and position statements on EVs and EV charging equipment in the built environment.
- Green Engineering Services and specialist fire engineering consultants – Australian guidance on EV charging ventilation and fire safety considerations.