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Interim Guidance for Electric and Hybrid-Electric Vehicles Equipped With High-Voltage Batteries (Vehicle Owner/General Public)

Electric and Hybrid-Electric Vehicle Considerations

In the event of damage, fire, or flooding involving an electric vehicle (EV) or hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV):

  • Always assume the high-voltage (HV) battery and associated components are energized and fully charged.

  • Exposed electrical components, wires, and HV batteries present potential HV shock hazards.

  • Venting/off-gassing HV battery vapors are potentially toxic and flammable.

  • Physical damage to the vehicle or HV battery may result in immediate or delayed release of toxic and/or flammable gases and fire.

  • A HV battery in a flooded vehicle may have high voltage and short circuits that can shock and cause fires.

Vehicle Information and General Safety Practices
  • Know the make and model of your vehicle.

  • Review the owner's manual and become familiar with your vehicle's safety information and recommended safety practices.

  • Do not attempt to repair damaged electric and hybrid-electric vehicles yourself. Contact an authorized service center or vehicle manufacturer representative for service.

Crashes

A crash or impact significant enough to require an emergency response for conventional vehicles would also require the same response for an electric or hybrid-electric vehicle.

If possible

  • Move your car to a safe, nearby location and remain on the scene.

  • Roll down windows before shutting vehicle off.

  • Place vehicle in Park, set parking brake, turn off the vehicle activate hazard lights, and move key(s) at least 16 feet away from the vehicle.

Always

  • Call 911 if assistance is needed and advise that an electric or hybrid-electric vehicle is involved.

  • Do not touch exposed electrical components or the engine compartment, as a shock hazard may exist.

  • Avoid contact with leaking fluids and gases, and remain out of the way of oncoming traffic until emergency responders arrive.

  • When emergency responders arrive, tell them that the vehicle involved is an EV or HEV.

Fires

As with any vehicle, call 911 immediately if you see sparks, smoke, or flames coming from the vehicle.

  • Exit the vehicle immediately.

  • Advise 911 that an electric or hybrid-electric vehicle is involved.

  • As with any vehicle fire, do not inhale smoke, vapors, or gas from the vehicle, as they may be hazardous.

  • Remain a safe distance upwind and uphill from the vehicle fire.

  • Stay out of the roadway and stay out of the way of any oncoming traffic while awaiting the arrival of emergency responders.

Flooding

  • Remain a safe distance away and do NOT attempt physical contact with the vehicle.

  • Immediately call 911 and advise that an electric or hybrid-electric vehicle is involved

Post-Incident

  • Do not store a severely damaged vehicle with a lithium-ion battery inside a structure or within 50 feet of any structure, vehicle, or combustible.

  • Ensure that passenger and cargo compartments remain ventilated (i.e., open window, door, or trunk).

  • Notify an authorized service center or vehicle manufacturer representative as soon as possible, as there may be other steps they can take to secure and discharge the HV battery.

  • Call 911 if you observe leaking fluids, sparks, smoke, or flames, or hear gurgling or bubbling from the HV battery.

Interim Guidance for Electric and Hybrid-Electric Vehicles Equipped With High-Voltage Batteries (Towing and Recovery Operators and Vehicle Storage Facilities)

Electric and Hybrid-Electric Vehicle Considerations

In the event of damage, fire, or flooding involving an electric vehicle (EV) or hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV):

  • Always assume the high-voltage (HV) battery and associated components are energized and fully charged.

  • Exposed electrical components, wires, and HV batteries present potential HV shock hazards.

  • Venting/off-gassing HV battery vapors are potentially toxic and flammable.

  • Physical damage to the vehicle or HV battery may result in immediate or delayed release of toxic and/or flammable gases and fire.

  • A HV battery in a flooded vehicle may have high voltage and short circuits that can shock and cause fires.

  • DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE IS AN ELECTRIC OR HYBRID-ELECTRIC VEHICLE, and if it is, advise Dispatch and all responders that an electric or hybrid-electric vehicle is involved.

  • Be alert. There is a potential for delayed fire with damaged lithium-ion batteries.

  • Consult with the responding fire department to determine the actions it took.

  • If you detect leaking fluids, sparks, smoke, flames, increased temperature, gurgling, popping, or hissing noises from the HV battery compartment, call 911.

  • Notify an authorized service center or vehicle manufacturer representative as soon as possible as there may be additional steps necessary you or they can take to secure and, discharge, handle, and store the HV battery and vehicle.

  • Notify the storage facility of your actions and the actions the Emergency Responders told you that they took.

If you are properly trained and equipped, which includes using personal protective equipment, then consider the following:

Vehicle Shutdown and High-Voltage System Disabling
RECOVERING/TRANSPORTING VEHICLE
  • Call an authorized service center or vehicle manufacturer representative to determine additional steps that you should take to safely recover or transport the vehicle.

  • Always approach vehicle from the sides to stay out of potential travel path. It may be difficult to determine if the vehicle is running due to lack of engine noise.

  • Place vehicle in Park, set the parking brake, turn off the vehicle, activate hazard lights, and remove keys to a distance at least 16 feet from the vehicle until loading the vehicle for transport.

  • Refer to vehicle manual/recovery guide to locate proper attachment/connection points and transport method.

  • Avoid contact with orange high-voltage cabling and areas identified as high-voltage risk by warning labels.

STORING VEHICLE
  • Do not store a severely damaged vehicle with a lithium-ion battery inside a structure or within 50 feet of any structure, vehicle, or combustibles.

  • Ensure that passenger and cargo compartments remain ventilated.

  • Prior to placing and while located in storage area/tow lot, continue to inspect vehicle for leaking fluids, sparks, smoke, flames, gurgling, or bubbling sounds from the HV battery and call 911 if any of these are detected.

  • Maintain clear access to stored vehicles for monitoring and emergency response if needed.


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