Why Every Australian EV Owner Needs a Lithium-Ion Fire Extinguisher
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Published by EV Fire Solutions | EV Safety | Fire Preparedness
Australia's electric vehicle revolution is well and truly underway. According to the Electric Vehicle Council, EV sales in Australia have been growing year on year, with more Aussies than ever making the switch to electric cars, e-bikes, and e-scooters. But as our love affair with lithium-ion powered transport grows, so too does the need to understand a very real — and very different — kind of fire risk.
At EV Fire Solutions, we want to make sure every Australian EV owner, fleet operator, and home charger user is properly prepared. That's why we're shining a spotlight on one of our most important products: the 4L EV Fire Extinguisher, specifically formulated for lithium-ion battery fires.
The Lithium-Ion Fire Problem: Why Your Standard Extinguisher Won't Cut It
Most Australians have a standard dry powder or CO2 extinguisher sitting in the garage or kitchen. While these are perfectly adequate for conventional fires, they are simply not designed for the unique behaviour of a lithium-ion battery fire.
Here's why lithium-ion fires are in a league of their own:
Extreme temperatures. A lithium-ion battery fire can reach temperatures of up to 1,600°C — far beyond the threshold of a standard residential fire. For context, that's roughly the temperature at which steel begins to melt.
Thermal runaway. This is the phenomenon that makes lithium-ion fires so dangerous. Once one battery cell fails and overheats, it triggers a chain reaction through neighbouring cells, rapidly escalating the fire even after it appears to have been suppressed.
Reignition risk. EV battery fires have been known to reignite hours — or even days — after the initial fire appears to be out. Fire and Rescue NSW has documented incidents where EVs have reignited long after crews believed the fire was extinguished.
Toxic gas release. Burning lithium-ion batteries release a cocktail of hazardous gases including hydrogen fluoride, which is acutely toxic. This is a serious risk for bystanders and first responders.
A standard ABC or CO2 extinguisher may temporarily knock back the flames, but it will not cool the battery pack, stop thermal runaway, or prevent reignition. In short, it gives you a false sense of security.
What Makes Our 4L EV Fire Extinguisher Different?
Our 4L EV Fire Extinguisher is purpose-built for the realities of lithium-ion battery fires. It is not a repurposed conventional extinguisher — it is a specialist suppression unit engineered to address the specific chemistry and physics of battery fires.
Advanced suppression agent. The formulation is specifically designed to rapidly cool high-temperature lithium-ion fires, disrupting the thermal runaway cycle and significantly reducing the risk of reignition.
The right size for e-bikes and e-scooters. The 4L capacity is the ideal choice for owners of e-bikes, e-scooters, and mid-sized electric vehicles. It's powerful enough to make a real difference in the critical first minutes of a fire, without being so large it becomes impractical to store or deploy.
Lightweight and easy to use. In an emergency, the last thing you want is equipment you can't operate under pressure. Our extinguisher is lightweight, portable, and uses the straightforward PASS method — Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep — that Australians are already familiar with from standard fire safety training.
Compliant with European and international standards. There is currently no Australian Standard specifically covering lithium-ion battery fires (something the industry is actively working to address). In the meantime, our extinguisher is tested and compliant with EN-3-7-2004 and A1-2007 — the benchmark European and international standards for fire extinguishers.
12-month warranty. Every unit comes backed by a 12-month warranty for your peace of mind.
The Australian EV Landscape: Why Now Is the Time to Be Prepared
Australia's EV uptake is accelerating rapidly. The Australian Government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, which came into effect in 2025, is incentivising manufacturers to bring more EVs to our market. State and territory governments — from the ACT to Queensland — have introduced EV rebates and incentives that are putting more electric vehicles on Australian roads every single month.
With that growth comes a corresponding increase in the number of lithium-ion batteries being charged in Australian homes, apartments, and workplaces. The NSW Government's SafeWork agency and fire authorities across the country have been raising awareness of the specific risks associated with charging e-bikes and e-scooters indoors — a common cause of serious residential fires in Australian cities.
In early 2024, Fire and Rescue NSW responded to a significant rise in e-bike battery fires across Sydney, prompting public safety warnings and urgent calls for better consumer education around lithium-ion fire risk. Similar warnings have been issued by the Metropolitan Fire Brigade in Victoria and the Queensland Fire Department.
The message from emergency services is clear: be prepared before an incident occurs.
Who Needs This Extinguisher?
Our 4L EV Fire Extinguisher is ideal for:
- E-bike and e-scooter owners who charge their vehicles at home, in apartments, or in shared facilities
- EV car owners looking for a first-response suppression tool to keep in their garage
- Small businesses and fleet operators running e-delivery bikes, e-scooters, or small electric vehicles
- Property managers and body corporates managing apartment buildings with EV charging infrastructure
- Home charging station users who want appropriate fire safety equipment on hand
If you're charging a lithium-ion battery regularly — which, if you own an EV of any kind, you absolutely are — this extinguisher belongs within easy reach.
Always Call 000 First
We want to be completely transparent about what this product is and isn't. Our EV Fire Extinguisher is a critical first-response tool, designed to help you contain and slow a fire in its early stages until professional help arrives.
It is not a substitute for emergency services.
In any EV fire situation, your first action should always be to call 000 and evacuate the area. Only attempt to deploy the extinguisher if the fire is small, in its very early stages, and it is safe to do so. If there is any doubt, get out and let the professionals handle it.
Triple Zero (000) is Australia's emergency number for fire, ambulance, and police. Keep it at the front of your mind.
Storage and Maintenance: Keeping Your Extinguisher Ready
An extinguisher you can't find or that has lost pressure in an emergency is no extinguisher at all. Here are some simple tips for Australian conditions:
Store it accessibly. Mount it near your charging station or garage entry using a wall bracket — somewhere you can grab it without thinking in a stressful moment.
Check it monthly. A quick visual inspection takes 30 seconds. Check the pressure gauge is in the green zone, the pin and tamper seal are intact, and there's no visible damage.
Garage storage is fine. Australia's climate can be harsh, but the extinguisher is designed to handle the temperature variations of a typical Australian garage. Just avoid prolonged exposure to direct moisture or chemicals.
Annual servicing. Like any fire safety equipment, have it professionally serviced annually. Your local fire equipment service provider — found through the Fire Protection Association Australia (FPAA) directory — can assist.
Get Prepared Today
At $275 AUD with free shipping Australia-wide, the 4L EV Fire Extinguisher is a straightforward investment in the safety of your home, your vehicle, and the people you care about.
We also offer 1L units for smaller vehicles or tight storage spaces, and 9L units for larger EVs, commercial use, or fleet operators. And for comprehensive protection, check out our EV Fire Solution Bundles, which pair the extinguisher with our EV Fire Blanket for a complete first-response toolkit.
The cost of being unprepared is always higher than the cost of being ready.
Shop the 4L EV Fire Extinguisher now →
Have questions about which product is right for your situation? Reach out to our team at sales@evfiresolutions.com.au — we're here to help you find the right fire safety solution for your needs.
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