As more electric vehicles enter workshops, bodyshops, MOT centres and dealerships, repairers need clear procedures for managing EV fire risk. Damaged or faulty lithium-ion batteries can create hazards that are not always visible, and the consequences of an EV fire inside a workshop can be severe.

For repairers and dealers, the issue is not simply that electric vehicles are becoming more common. It is that many vehicles arrive on site after an accident, breakdown, fault investigation or battery-related concern. That makes practical EV fire safety planning essential.

Fire Cloak supports automotive businesses that need to manage EV fire risk in workshops, bodyshops and service environments. You can find out more here: Fire Cloak for repair workshops.

Why damaged EVs need careful handling in workshops

Any electric vehicle that has suffered damage in an accident or breakdown may present a higher fire risk. That risk is not always obvious. Battery damage can be hidden beneath the vehicle, inside the battery pack or within cells that are not visible during an initial inspection.

If a lithium-ion battery cell has been damaged or is faulty, it can overheat and enter thermal runaway. Thermal runaway is a chain reaction where heat spreads from one battery cell to neighbouring cells, causing the fire to intensify and spread through the battery pack.

Once thermal runaway begins, an EV fire can be extremely difficult to control. It can produce intense heat, sparks, smoke and potentially toxic gases, all of which create risks for technicians, customers, nearby vehicles and the workshop building itself.

Why motor dealers also need EV fire planning

Motor dealerships may have electric vehicles in several areas at once: on the forecourt, inside the showroom, in the workshop, awaiting parts, charging on site or being prepared for handover.

That concentration of vehicles increases the potential for collateral damage if one EV develops a battery fault or catches fire. A single incident could affect stock vehicles, customer vehicles, workshop equipment, charging infrastructure and the showroom environment.

For dealerships, EV fire safety should sit alongside wider health and safety procedures. Staff should know how to identify warning signs, where containment equipment is located and when to contact emergency services.

Using thermal imaging as part of EV assessment

One automotive client shared an example of how Fire Cloak can support workshop safety when used alongside a thermal imaging camera.

During a standard safety assessment, a technician used a thermal imaging camera to check the temperature of an electric vehicle that had arrived in the workshop. The battery temperature appeared elevated, so the technician placed an 8m x 6m Fire Cloak EV Fire Limitation Blanket over the vehicle as a precautionary measure.

Fortunately, the temperature returned to normal after a short period of time. The example shows how early identification and rapid containment can help create a safer working environment for technicians and customers.

Overnight and out-of-hours EV fire risk

Many workshops need to keep electric vehicles on site overnight, especially when work is incomplete, parts are delayed or a vehicle cannot be moved safely.

Some automotive clients are using Fire Cloak as a preventative safety measure by placing a fire blanket over an EV that remains in the workshop overnight. This can be especially useful if work has involved the chassis, battery area or high-voltage systems.

If the vehicle’s lithium-ion battery were to ignite after the workshop has closed, smoke alarms could alert emergency services while the Fire Cloak helps contain heat, smoke and flames. That can reduce the risk of fire spreading to other vehicles or equipment before firefighters arrive.

Managing removed or exposed EV batteries

EV repair work can sometimes involve vehicles that cannot be moved, batteries that have been removed, or battery units waiting for parts or further inspection.

One automotive dealer group used Fire Cloak as a precaution while technicians were working on a Range Rover Sport. The battery unit had been dropped from the base of the vehicle onto a counter below while the team waited for parts. Covering the battery with Fire Cloak gave the team an additional layer of containment if the battery became unstable.

How EV fire blankets support workshop safety

Electric vehicle fire blankets, such as the Fire Cloak EV Fire Limitation Blanket, are designed to help contain heat, smoke and flames while emergency procedures are carried out.

In a workshop or dealership environment, an EV fire blanket can help:

• reduce fire spread to nearby vehicles and equipment;
• limit smoke movement through the workshop or showroom;
• create a more controlled area for emergency responders;
• support out-of-hours safety when a vehicle remains on site;
• provide technicians with a practical containment option if warning signs are identified.

An EV fire blanket should not replace emergency services, staff training or a full site risk assessment. It should be part of a wider EV safety process that includes battery assessment, isolation procedures, thermal monitoring where appropriate, safe storage and clear emergency escalation.

Practical EV fire planning for repairers and dealers

Repairers, bodyshops and dealerships should review how electric vehicles move through their site. Important questions include:

• where damaged EVs are parked before inspection;
• how high-voltage battery concerns are identified and escalated;
• whether EVs are charged on site;
• where vehicles are stored overnight;
• how close EVs are to other vehicles, stock or buildings;
• where EV fire blankets and other safety equipment are located;
• whether technicians know how and when to deploy containment equipment.

As more electric vehicles enter the repair and dealer network, EV fire safety needs to be built into everyday workshop procedures. With the right planning and equipment in place, businesses can better protect staff, customers, vehicles and premises.