Electric bus fires remain relatively rare, but several high-profile incidents have shown why operators, emergency services and fleet managers need to take lithium-ion battery fire risk seriously.
When an electric bus fire does occur, the consequences can be severe. Fires involving high-voltage battery packs can develop quickly, produce intense heat and create large volumes of toxic smoke. In some cases, operators have temporarily withdrawn electric bus fleets while investigations are carried out.
Electric buses withdrawn after TfL garage fire
Transport for London removed 90 Switch Mobility MetroDecker EV electric buses from service following a major fire at its Potters Bar garage, where six electric buses were engulfed in flames.
The company took the precautionary measure while the cause of the fire was investigated. Footage shared at the time showed the fire spreading to adjacent buses, with one vehicle appearing to erupt as the incident escalated.
A bystander captured the moment on video, showing how quickly an electric vehicle fire can develop once neighbouring vehicles and battery systems become involved.
Multiple fire crews from across Hertfordshire attended the blaze and worked with police to evacuate the surrounding area. Fortunately, no-one was injured, although the fire could reportedly be seen from miles away.
Paris operator suspends 149 electric buses after fires
In Paris, public transport operator RATP temporarily suspended 149 electric buses following two separate fires involving Bluebus 5SE vehicles.
The buses, made in Brittany by French manufacturer Bluebus, were removed from service after footage of the fires was widely shared. The vehicles used lithium-based battery technology fitted to the roof and rear of the bus.
In one incident, passengers and the driver evacuated as soon as the fire was discovered. Up to 30 firefighters were involved in extinguishing the blaze, which completely destroyed the bus. Thankfully, no-one was hurt.
The incident was covered by InsideEVs, including video footage of the electric bus fire in Paris.
GoAhead withdraws electric fleet after London bus fire
Another electric bus fire occurred on Wimbledon Hill Road in London on 11 January 2024. Following the incident, operator GoAhead temporarily withdrew its electric fleet while investigations took place.
Again, no injuries were reported, but the incident underlined the challenges that electric vehicle fires can present in busy, heavily populated areas.
Video footage of the incident was shared online:
Why electric bus fires are difficult to manage
Electric buses, like electric cars and other battery-powered vehicles, rely on high-capacity battery systems. If battery cells are damaged, defective or exposed to extreme conditions, they can enter thermal runaway.
Thermal runaway occurs when a battery cell heats rapidly and begins to fail. The heat can then spread to neighbouring cells, creating a chain reaction across the battery pack. Once this process begins, the fire can be extremely difficult to control.
These incidents can create several risks for operators and emergency responders, including:
- rapid fire spread between battery cells or nearby vehicles;
- high heat release;
- large volumes of smoke and potentially toxic gases;
- reignition risk after the initial fire has been controlled;
- access challenges when batteries are mounted beneath, behind or above passenger areas.
Reducing the risk from electric bus fires
As more public transport fleets transition to electric vehicles, fire safety planning becomes increasingly important. Operators need to consider where electric buses are parked, how charging areas are managed, how damaged vehicles are isolated and what equipment is available if a battery fire occurs.
Electric vehicle fire blankets, such as the Fire Cloak EV Fire Limitation Blanket, are designed to help contain fire, smoke and heat while emergency procedures are carried out. They can be particularly useful in depots, workshops and other locations where multiple vehicles may be parked close together.
The aim is not simply to extinguish the fire, but to help limit escalation, protect nearby vehicles and infrastructure, and give firefighters and site teams more control over the incident area.
Planning for the next stage of electric transport
Electric buses are an important part of the move towards cleaner public transport, but the incidents in London and Paris show why battery fire risk must be planned for properly.
For transport operators, depot managers, workshops and emergency responders, the key question is not only how likely an electric bus fire is, but how prepared the site is if one occurs.
With the right fire safety planning, training and containment equipment in place, operators can reduce the risk of one incident becoming a much larger event.
