Renault Group is helping to contribute to EV safety by granting open access to its Fireman Access patents. These patents, available to automotive manufacturers and suppliers worldwide, provide a proven method for firefighters to control and extinguish EV battery fires in minutes rather than hours. By removing proprietary barriers, Renault aims to support industry-wide adoption of this life-saving technology and enhance emergency response protocols.

Innovation Developed Through Cross-Sector Collaboration

The Fireman Access system is the result of years of collaboration between Renault and fire services, demonstrating the impact of cross-industry innovation. The technology features a specially designed adhesive disc positioned over the EV's traction battery casing. In the event of a fire, this disc can be rapidly detached by a fire hose, allowing direct access to the battery cells for efficient cooling. This targeted approach significantly reduces water usage—by up to 90%—and accelerates firefighting efforts, minimizing vehicle damage and safety risks.

Renault’s decision to share these patents reflects a strategic shift toward open innovation in vehicle safety. Under this initiative, companies that adopt the Fireman Access system commit to sharing any further improvements they develop, creating a collaborative ecosystem for ongoing safety enhancements. This aligns with Renault’s commitment to road safety, reinforced through its partnership with UN Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt.

The company operates three specialized technical centers in France, focusing on crash testing, road handling, and advanced driving simulation. Its Laboratory of Accidentology, Biomechanics, and Human Behavior (LAB), established in 1969, has built extensive expertise in vehicle safety analysis, with a dedicated team of 600 engineers and technicians and over 2,000 safety-related patents filed since 1970.