As electric mobility grows, understanding charging safety and emergency actions matters more than fear or misinformation.
Electric vehicles are becoming a more familiar sight on Oman’s roads. In May 2026, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology reported that the number of EVs had exceeded 5,800 by the end of the first quarter, alongside plans for 350 charging points by 2027. These are dated figures, rather than a current November vehicle count. [1]
The global market is also expanding. According to the International Energy Agency’s Global EV Outlook 2026, electric car sales exceeded 20 million in 2025, accounting for one-quarter of new car sales worldwide. Its projection of 23 million sales in 2026 remains a forecast, not a completed-year result; the IEA’s electric-car category includes battery-electric and plug-in hybrid cars. [2]
For drivers, businesses and property managers, this growth creates a practical responsibility: understand how to charge safely, recognise warning signs and respond correctly if something goes wrong.
A recent safety development worth noticing
In its newsletter dated 2 November 2026, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration highlighted a new lithium-ion battery safety webpage covering manufacturing, use, storage, recycling and shipping. The resource brings together hazard information and controls; it is not a new Omani legal requirement. [3] An earlier warning also remains important. On 11 June 2025, the US Fire Administration publicised research showing that blankets used over EV fires involving batteries could allow flammable gases to accumulate beneath them, creating an explosion hazard. This challenges the idea that covering a burning EV necessarily makes it safe. [4] The lesson is straightforward: equipment should be selected through competent assessment and training, rather than marketing claims.
Why can a battery fire be difficult to control?
Not every fire involving an electric car involves its high-voltage battery. The distinction matters. When battery cells enter thermal runaway, uncontrolled heating can spread between cells. Damaged batteries can release flammable and toxic gases, and may reignite even after visible flames disappear. These features can make an incident more demanding than extinguishing burning upholstery or other vehicle materials. [5] Turning the vehicle off does not make the battery electrically harmless. NHTSA advises treating damaged high-voltage batteries and associated components as energised. Physical damage can also produce an immediate or delayed fire. [6] However, difficult fire behaviour does not, by itself, prove that EVs catch fire more frequently than petrol vehicles. That comparison requires reliable incident data adjusted for vehicle numbers, age and use.
Does an EV fire need special extinguishing equipment?
It needs trained responders and a vehicle-specific response—not a universal “special extinguisher.” Official guidance identifies intensive cooling, appropriate protective equipment, breathing protection and continued monitoring as important considerations. Water can be used by trained firefighters for cooling; battery involvement may require substantial quantities over an extended period. A small portable extinguisher cannot be relied upon to stop thermal runaway inside a traction battery. [5][7] Methods depend on the vehicle, battery condition, location and incident circumstances. Manufacturers’ Emergency Response Guides (ERGs) provide model-specific information for emergency services and recovery operators. [8] For drivers, the priority is evacuation and calling for help, not approaching the battery, applying a blanket or experimenting with extinguishing methods.
What should a driver do if a fire is suspected?
Warning signs can include unusual heat, hissing or popping, venting gas, smoke, or visible damage. Do not wait for flames before taking an abnormal situation seriously. [5]
- Stop safely. Pull over as soon as it is safe and switch the vehicle off if possible without delaying escape.
- Get everyone out immediately. Leave belongings behind and never return to a burning vehicle.
- Move well away. US Fire Administration guidance recommends at least 100 feet—approximately 30 metres—from a burning vehicle, and away from traffic. This is an initial public-safety distance, not a guarantee of safety in every incident; follow emergency responders’ instructions.
- Call 9991 in Oman. Give the exact location, report any trapped or injured people, and tell the operator that the vehicle is electric or a plug-in hybrid.
- Do not fight the fire yourself. Do not open the bonnet or boot, touch exposed cables, or attempt to open or disconnect the battery.
- Keep others back. Do not approach because the flames appear to have stopped. [6][9][10]
If the vehicle is charging, do not approach a smoking or burning vehicle to unplug it. Prioritise escape, warn others and inform emergency services that a charger is connected.
Is charging dangerous?
Charging is generally safe when certified equipment is correctly installed and used. The US Fire Administration recommends a suitable dedicated circuit, qualified electrical installation and following the vehicle and charging-equipment manufacturers’ instructions. [11] Practical precautions include:
- Use compatible, certified charging equipment from a reputable supplier.
- Have a qualified electrician assess the supply and install appropriate protection.
- Never use extension leads or multiplug adapters for EV charging.
- Do not use visibly damaged cables, connectors or chargers.
- Maintain the charging equipment as instructed.
- Follow the equipment’s instructions for wet conditions and protection against water entry. [11]
In Oman’s climate, check the manufacturer’s operating-temperature and installation requirements rather than assuming that every charger is suitable for every outdoor location. The important question is not simply whether charging happens overnight. It is whether the installation, equipment and vehicle are suitable and maintained.
After a collision or flooding, the risk may continue
A vehicle that still runs is not necessarily safe to recharge after battery damage. NHTSA warns that damaged batteries may release gases or catch fire later. Drivers should contact the manufacturer or authorised service provider and ensure recovery personnel know that the vehicle is electric. [6]
For a suspected damaged lithium-ion battery after flooding, NHTSA advises against parking the vehicle in a garage or within 50 feet—approximately 15 metres—of structures, other vehicles or combustible materials. This is post-damage storage guidance, not an instruction to move a smoking or burning vehicle yourself. [12]
What businesses in Oman should prepare for
Installing chargers changes more than the parking layout. A practical risk assessment should consider electrical capacity, equipment protection, access and escape routes, emergency communication, responder access and arrangements for damaged vehicles. Staff need to know where to raise the alarm and how to keep people away. They should not be expected to improvise battery firefighting. For fleet operators, vehicle procurement should include access to the manufacturer’s emergency information and coordination with maintenance, recovery providers and emergency services. The charging point and the vehicle should be considered together.
Confidence should come from preparation
Electric mobility does not require panic. It requires suitable charging infrastructure, competent maintenance and clear emergency actions. For the driver, the essential message is simple: Stop safely. Get out. Move away. Call 9991. Do not return.
References
- MTCIT — Oman Sustainability Week initiatives, 19 May 2026
- IEA — Global EV Outlook 2026: Executive summary
- OSHA — QuickTakes, 2 November 2026 and Lithium-ion Battery Safety
- USFA — Safety advisory on EV fire blankets, 11 June 2025
- USFA — Risks and response strategies for lithium-ion battery fires
- NHTSA — Electric and Hybrid Vehicles: Battery, Charging and Safety
- Manufacturer battery fire-safety guidance hosted by NHTSA — PDF
- NHTSA — Vehicle-specific Emergency Response Guides
- USFA — Vehicle Fire Safety
- Government of Oman — Emergency numbers
- USFA — Electric Vehicle Charging Fire Safety
- NHTSA — Hurricane- and Flood-Damaged Vehicles