In addition to the above, I wonder if some of the thinking is that the certification process of a car considers management of fire risks in the the systems design of the vehicle. Not to say this isn't covered by the regs for e.g. solar PV installations (I'll admit I don't know, what does the team think?) but maybe not to the same level of detail or policing? On the other hand it could be pure pragmatism that trying to ban people from keeping their cars in their garages is not going to go anywhere, but that doesn't mean that we want to make the situation even worse...

My personal bomb (my wife's petrol hybrid car, with its charger, parked right next to my diesel car) is tidily in the driveway at a safe distance from the house. But that's pure chance.

In addition to the above, I wonder if some of the thinking is that the certification process of a car considers management of fire risks in the the systems design of the vehicle. Not to say this isn't covered by the regs for e.g. solar PV installations (I'll admit I don't know, what does the team think?) but maybe not to the same level of detail or policing? On the other hand it could be pure pragmatism that trying to ban people from keeping their cars in their garages is not going to go anywhere, but that doesn't mean that we want to make the situation even worse...

My personal bomb (my wife's petrol hybrid car, with its charger, parked right next to my diesel car) is tidily in the driveway at a safe distance from the house. But that's pure chance.

There a an odd schizophrenia with risks - On one hand cars, with enough fuel in to put the driver in orbit are seen as mostly safe, and are parked almost willy nilly and driven at speed over rough ground, and stairs without handrails that allow folk  to fall and injure themselves are common, even in new build, but on the other hand fixed gas appliances are regulated heavily,  (but not camping gas) and part P does a half cock version of the same thing for fixed wiring, but anyone can plug in an extension lead without training.  

The degree of regulation  is often as much about how easy it is to inspect and control something as the wisdom of bothering to do so.

Meanwhile, large batteries are a reasonably novel risk, and it is fair to say that the public, and fire brigades, are learning on the hoof and in the meantime, anything that publicizes best practice and informs new designs, without scaremongering is to be welcomed.

Mike.