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Charging forward safely: Australia’s EV and micromobility sector
Statements
Standards Australia is leading the way to help prevent fires caused by batteries. Ongoing research and a new project both aims to help protect people from potential harm and safety issues related to lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles.
The project aims to investigate battery fire risks in EVs and micromobility devices, including e-scooters and e-bikes, by examining factors like battery condition, charging practices, weather exposure, and vehicle age and will lead the way for new safety guidelines for everyday use.
Chief Development Officer Adam Stingemore says working with academics, insurers and safety groups Standards Australia will help set national directions to protect people from harm.
“More than ever batteries are central to the growing EV and micromobility sector and Standards Australia supports a boost in public education on how to be safe every day. Our partnership with government on secondary batteries uncovered key gaps in the current standards landscape. This new project marks another step forward in our unwavering commitment to developing robust standards that ensure the safe handling and storage of batteries. By addressing these challenges, we aim to protect the wellbeing of all Australians and support a safer, more sustainable future."
Standards Australia will support the project, drawing on existing recommendations made in August 2024, as part of its work to progress standards that impact emerging technologies.
“By providing expert guidance on the requirements for developing standards that align with the needs of the EV and micromobility sectors this project is at the forefront of an area more people are becoming aware of with the increase of incidents related to batteries. We are leveraging our extensive experience which was boosted by recent research as part of our commitment to ensuring that any resulting standards address critical industry gaps, promote safety, and foster innovation.”
Recent projects
Standards Australia is continuing to research secondary battery end-user safety and advancing the circular economy for batteries, underscore its commitment to addressing pressing challenges within the energy transition and consumer trends. Applying this knowledge will ensure that the project outcomes are practical, forward-looking, and aligned with global best practices.
Standards Australia’s track record in energy transition projects, such as advancing secondary battery end-user safety and promoting circular economy practices for batteries, underscores its leadership in tackling some of the more pressing challenges. By applying this expertise, the organisation ensures the outcomes of this initiative are not only practical but also future-focused, supporting Australia’s evolving energy landscape.
This project aligns with the organisation’s research on emerging technologies like lithium-ion batteries and EVs, further solidifying its role in safeguarding communities while driving technological progress.
Updates from project partners
EV FireSafe: An Australian company funded by the Australian Department of Defence focused on EV battery fires and emergency responses. It has established the world’s only verified database for EV fires, including incidents in electric cars, buses, trucks, and specialist vehicles in sectors like aviation, mining, military, and airports.
Commenting on the project, EV Fire Safe Director Emma Sutcliffe says: “This research is key to developing safety standards that will help Australians use and store batteries safely. By addressing misconceptions around battery fires, we can help protect consumers and their assets."
iMOVE: Australia's national centre for transport and smart mobility research and development. They are a not-for-profit organisation funded by the Federal government, and focus on creating transport systems that benefit communities, industries, and the nation.
IAG: The Head of IAG’s Research Centre Shawn Ticehurst says that as Australia’s EV and lithium-ion battery market accelerates, the development of safety standards, regulations, and the data needed to understand the risks associated with batteries has struggled to keep pace.
“Due to the increasing range of cheaper EV’s entering the market, the number of Australian’s buying EVs is growing rapidly, so it’s important we understand the key factors impacting battery health. Understanding how weather exposure affects EV batteries and exploring any correlation between vehicle age and fire risk will be key in developing best practice strategies to ensure safety across the sector.”
Standards Australia is leading the way to help prevent fires caused by batteries. Ongoing research and a new project both aims to help protect people from potential harm and safety issues related to lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles.
The project aims to investigate battery fire risks in EVs and micromobility devices, including e-scooters and e-bikes, by examining factors like battery condition, charging practices, weather exposure, and vehicle age and will lead the way for new safety guidelines for everyday use.
Chief Development Officer Adam Stingemore says working with academics, insurers and safety groups Standards Australia will help set national directions to protect people from harm.
“More than ever batteries are central to the growing EV and micromobility sector and Standards Australia supports a boost in public education on how to be safe every day. Our partnership with government on secondary batteries uncovered key gaps in the current standards landscape. This new project marks another step forward in our unwavering commitment to developing robust standards that ensure the safe handling and storage of batteries. By addressing these challenges, we aim to protect the wellbeing of all Australians and support a safer, more sustainable future."
Standards Australia will support the project, drawing on existing recommendations made in August 2024, as part of its work to progress standards that impact emerging technologies.
“By providing expert guidance on the requirements for developing standards that align with the needs of the EV and micromobility sectors this project is at the forefront of an area more people are becoming aware of with the increase of incidents related to batteries. We are leveraging our extensive experience which was boosted by recent research as part of our commitment to ensuring that any resulting standards address critical industry gaps, promote safety, and foster innovation.”
Recent projects
Standards Australia is continuing to research secondary battery end-user safety and advancing the circular economy for batteries, underscore its commitment to addressing pressing challenges within the energy transition and consumer trends. Applying this knowledge will ensure that the project outcomes are practical, forward-looking, and aligned with global best practices.
Standards Australia’s track record in energy transition projects, such as advancing secondary battery end-user safety and promoting circular economy practices for batteries, underscores its leadership in tackling some of the more pressing challenges. By applying this expertise, the organisation ensures the outcomes of this initiative are not only practical but also future-focused, supporting Australia’s evolving energy landscape.
This project aligns with the organisation’s research on emerging technologies like lithium-ion batteries and EVs, further solidifying its role in safeguarding communities while driving technological progress.
Updates from project partners
EV FireSafe: An Australian company funded by the Australian Department of Defence focused on EV battery fires and emergency responses. It has established the world’s only verified database for EV fires, including incidents in electric cars, buses, trucks, and specialist vehicles in sectors like aviation, mining, military, and airports.
Commenting on the project, EV Fire Safe Director Emma Sutcliffe says: “This research is key to developing safety standards that will help Australians use and store batteries safely. By addressing misconceptions around battery fires, we can help protect consumers and their assets."
iMOVE: Australia's national centre for transport and smart mobility research and development. They are a not-for-profit organisation funded by the Federal government, and focus on creating transport systems that benefit communities, industries, and the nation.
IAG: The Head of IAG’s Research Centre Shawn Ticehurst says that as Australia’s EV and lithium-ion battery market accelerates, the development of safety standards, regulations, and the data needed to understand the risks associated with batteries has struggled to keep pace.
“Due to the increasing range of cheaper EV’s entering the market, the number of Australian’s buying EVs is growing rapidly, so it’s important we understand the key factors impacting battery health. Understanding how weather exposure affects EV batteries and exploring any correlation between vehicle age and fire risk will be key in developing best practice strategies to ensure safety across the sector.”
