Willowbank Raceway bans all EVs over safety concerns and fire risks

The sun has set on testing and racing electric vehicles at a Queensland dragstrip deeming the fire risks too high.

Willowbank Raceway has announced an immediate ban of EVs from racing and testing on their track. Picture: David Nielsen.

Electric vehicles have been black-listed from one of Australia’s most famous motorsport precincts, with the site deeming them too dangerous to compete.

Willowbank Raceway, 50km west of Brisbane, has made the call to ban electric vehicles from their venue over concerns for their facilities, patrons and staff, with immediate effect.

The ban comes after racetracks in the US and the UK took the same stance, banning electric and hybrid vehicles from racing and testing at their venues over the past year.

In a statement, Willowbank Raceway said it could no longer allow road-registered fully electric vehicles to race or test at the raceway.

“We have been reviewing the regulations from motorsport Australia, NEDRA (National Electric Drag Racing Association) as well as the emergency response procedures for specific vehicles,” the statement said.

“After information provided from these departments, we have determined that the risks associated with racing and testing electric vehicles are too high.”

A big crowd at Willowbank Raceway. Picture: File Photo.

While many EV owners were quick to express their anger at the decision on Reddit and Facebook, others were understanding.

Willowbank Raceway said one of the unique risks posed by electric vehicles were their batteries releasing toxic and flammable gas after a collision.

“First responders may not be able to confirm that the car is ‘off’, and doors may not unlock from the outside after a collision,” they said.

“If the driver is unconscious after an incident (including a medical incident), there is a chance the chassis is live and removing the driver would put the responders at risk.

“The car may not roll with the power disconnected and towing the car with our current equipment would be impossible.

“Electric vehicles require specific fire suppression systems such as water baths”.

The ban only applies to fully electric vehicles and Willowbank Raceway have said they “will continue to allow hybrid vehicles to run”.

Originally published as Willowbank Raceway bans all EVs over safety concerns and fire risks