Hybrid and Electric Vehicles

March 2013 Fire Training

What is the difference between a hybrid vehicle and an electric vehicle?

What are some potential risks associated with hybrid and electric vehicles involved in emergency incidents?

Vehicle Accident/ExtricationFire

Submersion

Hybrid Vehicles

• Internal combustion engine and electric motor• < 30 mph – Battery power• > 30 mph – Gasoline engine • Batteries charge as you drive

Electric Vehicles

• Require an external source to recharge

• Regenerative Braking

HV Battery

Volts, Amps, and Current

Volts

• Electrical potential in a circuit• Electromotive force• Example - PSI in hose stream

Amps

• Current – Number of electrons moving past a fixed point in one second

• Current is measured in amps

Current

• Low current can be harmful if backed by a significant amount of voltage

Direct Current (DC)

• Electrons move in one direction• Mostly found in things that are powered by

batteries• 12-volt battery

Alternating Current (AC)

• Travels in multiple directions• Power used to supply homes and businesses• AC has the ability to readily change voltages

Circuits• For current to flow there most be a completed

path

• Hybrid/Electric vehicles can operate in excess of 100 amps or 10,000 milliamps– 6 milliamps – Unable to let go of conductor– 70 milliamps – Burns– 105 milliamps – Heart stops

Types of Hybrids

• Full•Mild• Start-Stop•Plug-in

Full Hybrid

• Most hybrids on the road• Electric motor either assists engine or propels

the vehicle at low speeds– Toyota Prius, Ford Escape

Mild Hybrid

• Electric motor is only designed to assist the gasoline engine

• Does not propel the vehicle– Honda Civic, Honda Insight

Start-Stop Hybrid

• Intermediate voltage system• Allows the engine to shut down instead of

idling• Electric engine does not propel the vehicle– Chevy Malibu

Pure Electric

• Nissan Leaf (weighs 660 lbs.)• Average 73 miles on full charge• Zero Gas – 100% electric

Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV)

• Can travel 40 miles on battery power alone• Onboard gasoline engine turns the electric

generator and recharges the battery• Chevy Volt

High Voltage Batteries • Nickel Metal Hydride (Hybrid)– 100-400 volts

• Lithium Ion (Electric)• Location in Hybrids is almost always located in

the truck or under second row seats• Located under the floor in electric vehicles

What should high voltage mean to you?

• Orange Cables – > 60 volts

• Yellow or Blue cables– Intermediate voltage system

DC

• 12 volt battery• For current to flow, there must be a completed

path• DC-DC Converter– Takes high voltage battery to 12-volts to power things

like the radio, headlights, airbags, etc.

Operating Procedure

• Identify• Immobilize• Disable

• Additional Hazards– High voltage electrical system– Unanticipated vehicle movement

• Establish command• Primary Size-up• 360 Size-up (Identify)• Deploy Hose Line• Immobilize• Disable• Patient care• Hazard control• Terminate Command

Immobilize• Cribbing• Approach from the side• Place the vehicle in park• Engage the emergency brake

Disable

• Shut off the ignition• Disconnect the 12-volt battery– Shuts down both the 12-volt battery and DC-DC

Converter

Proximity Key

• If the key can be located, remove it at least 16 feet from the vehicle

Can’t shut off the ignition?

• Locate the fuse that runs the high voltage system

• Just shutting down the 12-volt battery is not enough, the ignition must be disabled as well

Vehicle Fire

Can I use water?

• DC electricity follows from the battery, along the electrical circuit and back to the battery

• AC electricity – Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)• Immediately shuts down power if there is a short

• Batteries will burn for a long time

Submerged Vehicles

• Manufactures recommend removing the vehicle from the water just like any other vehicle

• You will not be shocked by an electric or hybrid vehicle that is submerged

Helpful Resources

AC Hotstick

• One for each engine• One on each squad• Structure fires• Vehicle accidents• Lines down