Electric cars are becoming increasingly common in the Netherlands, but firefighters still face major challenges when it comes to putting out fires involving them, news website Nu.nl has reported.

Traditional fire suppression techniques often fail with electric vehicles (EVs), which can continue to reignite hours after the initial fire, Nu.nl said.

The problem lies in the battery design: the packs are built into the floor of the car, and a single cell catching fire can trigger a chain reaction. Toxic, flammable gases also increase the risk of explosions.

Some fire brigade officials now suggest banning electric vehicles from underground car parks, warning that battery fires are too difficult to control and pose a serious safety risk in enclosed spaces.

Esther Lieben of the national fire service taskforce on energy transition told Nu.nl she had seen a building go up in flames after a burning EV could not be reached five storeys below ground. “Personally, I would like to see a nationwide ban on plug-in cars in underground garages,” she said.

In April, a supermarket in Enschede had to be evacuated after an EV caught fire in the underground car park. The incident followed a series of high-profile fires, including one on board a cargo ship in June that was transporting around 800 electric and hybrid vehicles.

Fires involving EVs rose by 10% in 2024, the Dutch Institute for Public Safety (NIPV) said. Of 356 cases, 221 involved a vehicle fire and a quarter were linked to battery packs. While spontaneous battery fires are rare, the brigade still struggles to extinguish them once they start.

Specialised equipment, such as submersion containers or ultra-high-pressure (UHD) water jets, can help tackle battery fires, but they are expensive and not always practical.

Lieben said EVs and charging points should be restricted to ground-level parking. “Unfortunately, our safety teams are often invited too late in the design process,” she said. “Sometimes we’re even laughed at.”