Global mutual insurance provider TT Club's risk management director said that in order to keep up with the rapid development of battery technology and solve the growing safety problems in its transportation, we urgently need to "thoroughly review" the lithium-ion battery's dangerous goods classification category.
Lithium-ion batteries belong to the "miscellaneous hazardous substances and articles" category, which Storrs-Fox call the least harmful level, and in addition to stricter regulation, the soaring demand for lithium batteries and their transportation uncertainties still require manufacturers' input to more thoroughly address these issues.
Lithium-ion batteries also exist in a variety of other goods, mobile phones and laptops use lithium-ion batteries, including electric bicycles and scooters, most of which are transported in battery-loaded containers.
Storrs-Fox said that as container ships' cargo capacity increases and battery size and energy capacity change dramatically, it is clear that it is necessary for lithium-ion battery classification to be more thoroughly reviewed.
Concerns that lithium-ion batteries are not classified as sufficiently dangerous are not unfounded, and when containers are accepted for shipment or ship loading plans are being prepared, this can have serious consequences.
Eva Mckiernan, technical director at Jensen Hughes, a fire consultancy, said lithium-ion fires could lead to so-called "thermal runaway," in which temperatures can reach above 1000 degrees Celsius within seconds and release toxic gases that overheat. When heat and chemical reactions reach a certain level, thermal runaway occurs, they are effectively self-sustaining and difficult to extinguish.
the danger is particularly acute for the air cargo industry, as the misdeclaration of lithium-ion batteries is often a factor in the shipment of counterfeit batteries out of Asia. In the past few years, two cargo planes have crashed due to suspected lithium battery fires, and misdeclared or improperly packaged batteries are also believed to be the cause of container ship fires.
Demand for electric cars soars
From fossil fuel vehicles to lithium-ion battery-powered electric vehicles (EV) is undergoing a major shift around the world.
In the United States, Experian registration data show that the first quarter of all-electric vehicle sales increased by 63%, and electric vehicles now occupy 7% of the market share, up from 4% in the first quarter of last year.
European Automobile Manufacturers Association (European Automobile Manufacturers' Association) data show that as of the end of May, electric vehicles in the European passenger car market share of nearly 14%, of which hybrid vehicles share of 25%.
Storrs-Fox said that the rapid development of lithium battery technology to serve the fast-growing market requires more participation from manufacturers to solve transportation problems more thoroughly. This will give the logistics industry a clear understanding of the dangers involved in handling batteries, including fire, explosion and toxic gas emissions, to ensure the future of global transportation priority safety issues.
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