Hybrid Vehicles and First-Responder Safety

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The current range of gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles use motive power derived from a conventional gasoline engine supplemented by a high voltage electric battery pack. The gasoline engine is linked to an electric motor/generator unit that can power electric motors to drive the vehicle's wheels or charge the battery pack, A sophisticated power management system controls the process entirely automatically. In the event of a crash, emergency rescue personnel, including police officers, ambulance crews, and fire fighters, and recovery personnel conducting towing operations, should be aware of the potential for injury through electrolye spillage and electric shock. Hybrid vehicles typically use nickel-cadmium battery cells so that electroytre hazards are minimized; however, caution should still be exercised when dealing with damaged vehicles. More particularly, the vehicles operate with high voltage, direct current (DC) systems with the consequent potential for a shock hazard. The vehicles are extensively engineered for safety in collisions. There are several safety cut-off systems and disconnection points, and the high voltage cables are clad in bright orange to readily identify the potential hazard. Most manufacturers offer specific information and guidelines for first responders, with regard to identifying and dealing with potential hazards. This page is provided by the Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals as an initial source of information on this subject. For specific information on any particular vehicle, the reader should contact the vehicle's manufacturer.

General Information for Rescue Personnel:

Fire Fighters Guidance Note #6-19 - Hybrid Vehicle Safety Issues (100 KB PDF)

Extrication.com - Hybrid Emergency Responder Guidelines

Hybrid Vehicle Models:

Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner - Hybrid Emergency Response Procedures

Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck
GMC Sierra pickup truck
Contact: General Motors of Canada, #163-005 1908 Colonel Sam Drive, Oshawa, ON   L1H 8P7, 1-800-463-7483

Honda - Emergency Response Guide (1.4 MB PDF)
Honda Accord
Honda Civic
Honda Insight

Toyota Emergency Response and Hybrid Information

Lexus RX 400h - Emergency Response Guide (2 MB PDF)

 

See also our associated page on: Air Bags and First-Responder Safety

The information on this page has been developed in collaboration with our traffic safety partners at the Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Regulation Directorate, Transport Canada