RENAULT is to make available its ‘fireman access’ safety system for EV fires to the global automotive industry as part of a free licensing policy. 

The safety system, developed by Renault in partnership with global fire service providers, allows fire and rescue services to extinguish a battery fire in an EV in a few minutes, compared with several hours without this equipment.

Renault’s offer means car-makers and parts suppliers can get a free licence for this innovation through the open collaborative platform at www.renault/universalpatent.com. 

In return, as part of this collaborative principle, licensees agree that any upgrades will be made available to other members of the community.Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo said the system and its licence-free use was a community ethos embedded in Renault and one that keeps with a commitment made with the United Nations to “make mobility safer, all over the world.”

“Innovating to improve road safety is part of who we are at Renault,” he said at the launch of the system.

“We’re particularly proud of the partnership developed with the fire services in recent years. 

“Fireman Access is a practical demonstration of what can be achieved by combining our expertise as a manufacturer with the skills of the men and women who keep us safe every day. 

“Today, I’m delighted to be making this innovation freely available, because when it comes to a subject like safety, we need to break down all the barriers.” 

Renault says ‘fireman access’ allows emergency services to put out a fire on an EV in roughly the same time as on a combustion vehicle. 

It works by having an adhesive disc placed over an opening in the casing of the vehicle’s traction battery, effectively sealing it for normal use. 

If the vehicle catches fire and the flames spread to the battery, the powerful jet from the fire hose dislodges the disc and drenches the cells in water.

Renault Zoe EV

Renault said that this was “the only fast and effective way of stopping thermal runaway.”

“In this way, a battery fire can be extinguished in just a few minutes, compared with several hours and using ten times as much water without this feature,” it said.

Seven patents have been filed for this system, which is now fitted on all the electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles sold by Renault, Dacia, Alpine and Mobilize worldwide.

Renault says the initiative is the first practical expression of the commitment made by Renault Group to work alongside United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, in “raising awareness of road safety around the world and deploying technological innovations to save lives on the roads”.

Car-makers have infrequently allowed free access to internally-developed technology, however it has been successfully used – with possibly tens of thousands of motorists’ lives saved – by Volvo with its licence-free three-point car seat belt program that it launched in 1959.

Tesla in 2014 allowed use of its battery patents as a means of stimulating EV innovation and lower production costs, leading to more EVs being made and sold.