By Jason Emery
With the recent release of the ToyotaPriusPlugin Hybrid (PHEV), some emergency responders have asked how their response tactics would differ from the standard Prius or otherhybrids. The answer is basically…not much. As with other pluginhybrids, this Prius model is essentially a traditional hybrid vehicle designed with the ability to be plugged into a level I or IIcharging station. These vehicles are designed with a higher capacity high-voltage battery than traditionalhybridsin order to more effectively store the charge they receive. This allows for a greater use of the high-voltage system to propel the vehicle and a reduction in the use of the gasoline engine. In the event the driver doesn’t plug the vehicle in, it will continue to function in the same manner as a regularhybrid.
From the perspective of the first responder it will also be handled just like a hybrid, addressing both the flammable liquids and high-voltage concerns at an incident scene. The most notable difference from our perspective is that you may respond to an incident where the vehicle is plugged into a charging station, something usually reserved forelectric vehicles (EV). At that point you would handle it in a similar manner as you would an EV connected to acharging station; locate the power source that feeds it, and shut it down in order to isolate potential electrical hazards.
Blog content from the NFPA’s Electric VehicleSafety TrainingWeb site. For more information on hybrid and electric vehicles visitwww.evsafetytraining.org
JASONEMERY, a 21-year veteran of thefire service, is a lieutenant with the Waterbury (CT)Fire Department, where he is assigned to the rescue/hazmat company. He has a BS in fire science from the University of New Haven and is a member of the国际社会的火rvice Instructors. He is a subject matter expert for theNational Fire Protection Association, a member of its development team, and the leadinstructorfor its Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Training program. He founded Emergency Training Solutions, designed the PowerPoint®materials for188金宝搏是正规吗‘s Handbook forFirefighterI & II.
