Safety
Like conventionally fueled vehicles, electric drive and hybrid-electric vehicles are required to meet all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS).
Additionally, they must meet an additional FMVSS standard 305 - Electric Powered Vehicles: electrolyte spillage and electric shock protection. This standard specifies limits for electrolyte spillage, battery retention, and post-crash electrical isolation of the chassis from the high voltage system in vehicles that use electricity as propulsion power. Standard vehicles use the chassis as part of the 12-volt electrical circuit, while hybrid-electric vehicles use heavily insulated wires for both the positive and return sides of the high voltage circuit. Automatic shutoff systems reduce the potential for post-crash electrical shock from the high voltage system.
Vehicle manufacturers understand the importance of safety and the impacts of new technology on the public and on our public safety officers that respond to emergencies involving electric drive vehicles. That is why the manufacturers provide emergency response guides to educate and assist emergency responders in the safe handling of hybrid vehicles. Copies of some of the guides can be found at the following links.
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