A battery fire on an electric truck transporting hazardous materials led to a complete closure of the A46 near Haan for several hours. The incident involved a hazardous materials transport using a modern high-voltage battery, prompting emergency services to completely close the A46. The electric truck caught fire after an accident, and the battery fire quickly became the dominant hazard. (nrz: 12.12.25)
Hazardous materials as a key risk at the accident site
The battery fire remained the primary cause of the duration and extent of the road closure. The electric truck’s high-voltage battery became unstable, prompting the fire department to cordon off a large area. The presence of hazardous materials further increased the urgency, even though the substances being transported in barrels remained intact. As a result, the A46 motorway became a long-lasting emergency response focus.
According to the current state of the investigation, the cause of the accident remains unclear. Evidence suggests a lane change in which a car swerved to avoid the electric truck, causing it to lose control. The battery fire only occurred after the truck overturned, but this fire determined the subsequent course of events.
Battery fire and high-voltage battery required specialized measures.
The high-voltage battery required continuous cooling, as there was a constant risk of reignition. A standard firefighting operation was insufficient. The battery fire tied up numerous personnel for hours while the electric truck remained secured. Hazardous materials were a constant consideration, as heat and smoke posed additional risks.
The A46 motorway remained completely closed, even though no other vehicles were on fire. This meant standstill and long waiting times for motorists. The battery fire made a quick evacuation impossible, as the high-voltage battery first had to be fully stabilized.
A46 reopened only after complete safety measures were in place
Authorities only gradually reopened the A46 after an intensive inspection of the accident site. The electric truck could only be recovered after its high-voltage battery had cooled down. Hazardous materials continued to pose a critical risk, which is why every movement was meticulously planned.
This incident clearly demonstrates how sensitive the transport of hazardous materials is when combined with electric vehicles. A single battery fire was enough to paralyze a major highway like the A46 for hours.