Australia has taken a major step forward in electric vehicle (EV) safety with the independent verification of EV Fire Protection’s world-first fixed fire suppression system, EV FirePro.
Designed and manufactured in Australia, EV FirePro is the first system engineered specifically for EV parking bays, addressing one of the most complex challenges in modern fleet and infrastructure management — the containment of EV battery fires.
Independently tested in Spain
Due to the absence of purpose-built EV fire testing facilities in Australia, EV FirePro underwent rigorous testing at Applus+ Laboratories in Spain, a globally recognised authority in fire safety validation. The 2025 tests confirmed the system’s effectiveness, safety, and compliance with international standards.
“With global EV sales projected to exceed 200 million by 2030, the risks associated with EV fires in confined environments are only increasing,” said Gareth Morgan, Director of EV Fire Protection.
“Unlike traditional fires, EV battery fires are complex, intense, and can reignite hours later. Our system was engineered from the ground up to contain these fires at the source and prevent escalation.”
Purpose-built for lithium-ion battery risks
EV FirePro directly targets the hazards unique to lithium-ion batteries—thermal runaway, intense heat, and the release of toxic gases. Activated at the base of the vehicle, the system delivers targeted vertical and lateral water spray, suppressing flames and reducing heat spread.
This approach also improves safety for emergency responders, creating more controlled and predictable fire conditions.
During the testing phase, no fire spread to adjacent vehicles.
Key results included:
- Ambient temperatures around the burning car stayed below 60°C.
- Ceiling temperatures were contained below 250°C.
- Heat flux stayed under 2.5 kW/m², preventing ignition of nearby materials.
A brief temperature spike to 250°C occurred only during a deflagration event, caused by the ignition of gases released moments before the system activated.
“We now have the independent validation required for international rollout,” said Mr Morgan. “This solution was conceived, developed, and built entirely in Australia, and it’s ready to meet global demand for safer EV infrastructure.”
Recognised by global fire experts
Experts across the fire safety industry have praised the technology.
Jussef Liban, Master of Science in Fire Protection Engineering, described EV FirePro as “the most sensible solution” to EV fire containment seen to date.
“It is not intended to extinguish an EV fire entirely,” he explained, “but to reduce its effects — limiting spread, protecting adjacent vehicles, dissipating heat, and creating safer conditions for firefighter intervention.”
Martin Lown BEM, Certified Fire Investigator and former UK Fire Service Commander, called it “an upside-down sprinkler from down under.”
“Traditional ceiling-mounted systems aren’t designed to target the undercarriage, where EV battery fires originate,” he said. “EV FirePro’s ground-mounted design delivers targeted spray below and outward, helping to contain heat flux and slow the spread.”
He added that the system’s proven effectiveness means a vehicle fire can be contained in its early stages, giving fire crews time and safer conditions to act — a major advantage for defensive and offensive fire tactics.
Implications for fleet operators and developers
For Fleet Managers, EV FirePro represents a new layer of operational risk management as EV adoption accelerates. Installing systems like EV FirePro in depots, workshops, and car parks can reduce insurance exposure, protect assets, and support compliance with fire safety standards for multi-vehicle environments.
The technology also has implications for property developers, insurers, and local councils, as EV parking facilities increasingly require purpose-built safety measures.
Expanding globally
EV Fire Protection is now progressing distribution, installations, and agreements across Australia, the UK, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.
Upcoming international projects include site visits and installations in Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and at a Jaguar Land Rover test facility in the UK before the end of 2025. The company will also deliver local training and demonstration events for new distributors across the Asia-Pacific region.
The Queensland company was also part of the Queensland–India business delegation led by Premier David Crisafulli, attending a formal MoU signing ceremony in Delhi on 1 September to support EV FirePro’s entry into the Indian market.
EV Fire Protection has since been nominated for the Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Business Award, with winners to be announced on 6 November 2025.
A safety benchmark born in Australia
For an industry facing increased scrutiny around EV fire preparedness, EV FirePro provides a credible, tested, and scalable solution — one that demonstrates how Australian innovation can lead the world in making electric mobility safer for everyone.
