incompatible charging equipment blamed for Melbourne garage blaze
Authorities are warning electric vehicle owners about the dangers of using incompatible charging equipment after a garage in Melbourne’s southeast went up in flames
The fire in the garage of the Glen Waverley home was linked to a “travel adaptor connected to an aftermarket charging lead” used to charge the car.
Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) said its crew were able to control the blaze within 10 minutes of arriving at the home on September 24.
Two people and a dog evacuated the property before firefighters arrived.
Firefighters are responding to almost a fire each day in Melbourne caused by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that commonly used in electric vehicles (EVs), FRV said.
Some of the main reasons batteries catch fire include using non-compatible charging equipment, overheating, damage to the battery, short-circuiting and battery cell malfunction.
To prevent fires, FRV recommends purchasing products from reputable suppliers and following the manufacturer’s instructions.
“Only use chargers and cords that are originally supplied with that device.
“Using chargers with incorrect power delivery (voltage and current) can cause damage to the battery or overheating that can lead to fires.
“Check that chargers have the regulatory compliance mark, to show that they meet the relevant Australian Standards,” a FRV spokesperson said.
Australian metropolitan fire services also recommend installing photoelectric smoke alarms in a home’s garage and having all alarms in the home linked.
FRV also recommends people to avoid charging any electric device on soft surfaces that can catch fire, or charging devices near exits that would be escape routes if there was a fire.
People should also avoid using batteries that have been damaged or show signs of swelling, bulging and leaking.
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“Some of the main reasons batteries catch fire include using non-compatible charging equipment,”
You mean the smart car isn’t smart enough to detect a charger power supply that is outside normal parameters? Even laptops can do that.
I blame the manufacturer.
Aftermarket cable – just like a phone eh?
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