Forum: Mandatory fire extinguishers for EVs not practical
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I refer to the Forum letter “Make it mandatory for EVs to carry fire extinguishers” (March 3).
Statistically, internal combustion engine (ICE) cars are far more prone to fire than EVs. Currently, worldwide statistics indicate ICEs are at least 20 per cent more prone to fire than EVs. If fire extinguishers are made mandatory, then this should apply to all cars. But this is not practical, and it is hard to enforce, as fire extinguishers have very limited shelf life.
To minimise car fire risk, car owners have the responsibility to ensure their cars are maintained according to the manufacturers’ schedules and recommendations. More importantly, they must not modify their cars in any way.
The authorities must come down hard on owners of modified cars, and also businesses that modified them.
Ong Kok Lam
