1. Hybrid and Electric Vehicles
March 2013 Fire Training

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

3. What are some potential risks associated with hybrid and electric vehicles involved in emergency incidents? Vehicle Accident/Extrication Fire Submersion

4. Hybrid Vehicles Internal combustion engine and electric motor
< 30 mph – Battery power
> 30 mph – Gasoline engine
Batteries charge as you drive

5. Electric Vehicles Require an external source to recharge
Regenerative Braking

6. HV Battery

7. Volts, Amps, and Current

8. Volts Electrical potential in a circuit Electromotive force
Example - PSI in hose stream

9. Amps
Current – Number of electrons moving past a fixed point in one second
Current is measured in amps

10. Current
Low current can be harmful if backed by a significant amount of voltage

11. Direct Current (DC) Electrons move in one direction
Mostly found in things that are powered by batteries
12-volt battery

12. Alternating Current (AC)
Travels in multiple directions
Power used to supply homes and businesses
AC has the ability to readily change voltages

13. Circuits
For current to flow there most be a completed path

14. 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

15. Types of Hybrids
Full
Mild
Start-Stop
Plug-in

16. Full Hybrid Most hybrids on the road
Electric motor either assists engine or propels the vehicle at low speeds
Toyota Prius, Ford Escape

17. Mild Hybrid
Electric motor is only designed to assist the gasoline engine
Does not propel the vehicle
Honda Civic, Honda Insight

18. Start-Stop Hybrid Intermediate voltage system
Allows the engine to shut down instead of idling
Electric engine does not propel the vehicle
Chevy Malibu

19. Pure Electric Nissan Leaf (weighs 660 lbs.)
Average 73 miles on full charge
Zero Gas – 100% electric
48 lithium ion battery modules
Designed to last 10 years in normal driving conditions

20. 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
DC to AC power inverter

21. High Voltage Batteries
Nickel Metal Hydride (Hybrid)
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

22. What should high voltage mean to you?
Orange Cables
> 60 volts
Yellow or Blue cables
Intermediate voltage system

23. 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.

24. Identify Immobilize Disable Operating Procedure Additional Hazards
High voltage electrical system
Unanticipated vehicle movement
Hybrids do not look futuristic
Within 10 years, labels will go away

25. Establish command Primary Size-up 360 Size-up (Identify)
Deploy Hose Line
Immobilize
Disable
Patient care
Hazard control
Terminate Command
Approach vehicles from the side, could have potential to move

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

27. Disable Shut off the ignition Disconnect the 12-volt battery
Shuts down both the 12-volt battery and DC-DC Converter

28. Proximity Key
If the key can be located, remove it at least 16 feet from the vehicle

29. 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

30. Vehicle Fire
Can I use water?

31. Batteries will burn for a long time
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

32. 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

33. Helpful Resources

34. AC Hotstick One for each engine One on each squad Structure fires
Vehicle accidents
Lines down