Charging stations consist of the charger, the cable, and the connector that plugs into the vehicle. To be sold in the U.S., the equipment must meet Underwriters Laboratories (UL), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and Federal Communication Commission (FCC) requirements.
Considering the hundreds of thousands, and eventually millions, of EV charging stations to be deployed, inevitably, there will be failures, and fires. Specifically, the charger faces the same fire risk as does any electrical device. Short circuits, arcing, improper wiring, and outdated equipment anywhere in the system can all lead to fires.
One of the major challenges for EV charging stations, especially the public ones, is to decrease charging time. This can be addressed by increasing the rate of power transfer. The fast charge method, according to European Standards, corresponds to the maximum value of power (50–100 kW).
If a fire bursts out in an EV or battery storage facility, the first instinct may be to grab the nearest hose. However, getting too close to the fire could spell disaster as you may be injured by jet-like flames or projectiles.
When a large number of EVs are charged simultaneously at an EV charging station, problems may arise from a substantial increase in peak power demand to the grid. The integration of an Energy Storage System (ESS) in the EV charging station can not only reduce the charging time, but also reduces the stress on the grid.
Specifically, the charger faces the same fire risk as does any electrical device. Short circuits, arcing, improper wiring, and outdated equipment anywhere in the system can all lead to fires. Defects in any of the safety equipment can also lead to fires.