As hybrid and electric vehicles become more prevalent, emergency responders need to be aware of the proper procedures for responding to crashes and emergency situations that involve vehicles equipped with high voltage electrical systems. SAE International has published a standard to address this concern. The standard, J2990-Hybrid and EV First and Second Responder Recommended Practice, recommends practices for emergency personnel responding to incidents involving hybrid or electric vehicles."It's an appropriate time to recognize best practices that facilitate a safe response when [electric vehicles] are in an accident," says Todd Mackintosh, chair of the SAE Hybrid Technical Committee that developed the standard.
Recommended practices in the standard include:
- A procedure for vehicle labeling placed at standardized, consistent locations on the vehicle to identify that it contains high voltage systems.
- A quick reference guide for first responders, helping them identify high voltage components and safely disable them.
- Recommendation that manufacturers follow common standards for disabling high voltage circuits.
- Manufacturer guidelines for creating second responder (e.g., tow truck operator) safety instructions for handling damaged hybrid or electric vehicles.