How do you respond to an accident involving an electric or hybrid vehicle? Is the procedure the same as with a traditional vehicle?
Rescue professionals are increasingly concerned with these questions. Although, in principle, current and future ‘electrified’ models are as resistant to collisions as traditional vehicles, they do pose their own risks in terms of fire and electrocution linked to the large amount of electricity stored in their battery.
These risks are no higher than for a petrol or diesel model, but imply a need for special precautions. New safety rules are, therefore, required for fire fighters, meaning notably recognising the vehicle, turning off the battery, finding the cables, etc. This applies to the safety of the occupants as well as the rescue workers.
The stakes are huge: in fact, thousands of professionals in all the countries in which electric vehicles will be sold need to be trained. This is an enormous undertaking that certain manufacturers have already begun.
