Electrical Vehicle Safety Training

U.S. Army hybrid vehicle saving gas (and lives)

Photo: New York Times

Back in January, we reported on some of the steps the U.S. military—currently the world’s largest single consumer of oil—is taking to scale back on its gas-guzzling vehicles in order to reduce oil spending. This week, we’re happy to announce the reveal of the Clandestine Extended Range Vehicle, or CERV, at the Chicago Auto Show. This light, armored vehicle is intended for reconnaissance missions, and comes equipped with a silent engine allowing it to travel on rough terrain without being heard.

According to The Charging Point, the CERV is a joint project between the Army’s Tank Automotive Research Developing and Engineering Center and Quantum Fuel Systems Worldwide, a company that specializes in renewable energy propulsion.

In addition to cutting oil spending and lightening the Army’s carbon footprint, the use of hybrid and EV technology in the Army will reduce the risks that accompany the transport and protection of fuel supplies. Electric vehicles don’t just help the planet—they can save lives, too!

 

Electric car expo makes headlines in Tampa

Electric vehicles were the big newsmakers in last month’s Washington Auto Show, and it’s no surprise that they’re getting their own showcase this week in Tampa. The EV International Expo, a three day conference running February 21-23, focuses on informing the public about the benefits of electric vehicles.

“We’re not pushing anyone’s brand,” said Doug Mitchell, CEO of the Expo. “We’re bringing the whole of the technology to the public.”

With its flat terrain and warm weather, Florida seems tailor-made for battery-operated vehicles. Many charging stations have already been put in place around the state, and business can get tax credits for going green. “The infrastructure is here;” said Rob Keith, a marketing strategist working to promote the Expo. “You just need to create the demand.”

The EV International Expo is only $10 to attend, and registration is still open. For all you EV-lovers in Florida, it’s not too late to check out this event!

Ford C-Max Energi wins 2012 Green Car Vision Award

According to GreenCar.com, Green Car Journal has named Ford’s C-Max Energy the winner of the Green Car Vision Award at the Washington Auto Show. The more budget-friendly C-Max beat out top luxury competitors, including the BMW i3, the Cadillac ELR, Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell, and the Tesla Model S.

The C-Max Energi is Ford’s first plug-in hybrid vehicle, designed to be friendly to both the family and the environment, featuring seating for five, versatile storage, and the ability to run on electric power, hybrid gasoline-electric power, or on gasoline internal combustion power.

Check out the full story for more information about the Green Car Vision Award and the Washington Auto Show.

 

Read the February issue of NFPA's Electric Vehicle Safety Training newsletter

The February 2012 issue of NFPA's "EV News Update" is now available. In this issue:

• NHTSA releases interim guidance following Volt investigation
• states offer "train the trainer" sessions in MS, RI, FL, DE, KY, WA, and VT
• registration open for EV Symposium in Los Angeles

Sign up today to receive our free monthly e-newsletter. It will keep you up to date on the latest information on NFPA’s project to help firefighters and other first responders prepare for the growing number of electric vehicles on the road in the United States.

California announces new automotive emissions rules

Following President Obama’s State of the Union address, which highlighted several pledges to continue with plans for cleaner energy in the U.S., the California Air Resources Board has announced the Advanced Clean Cars program. The program is designed to “drastically reduce smog-causing pollutants”, and is expected to lead to increased sales of environmentally friendly vehicles.

In addition to increasing sales of hybrid and electric vehicles and building adequate fueling infrastructure for those vehicles, Composites World reports that the program will have other benefits inc, including cuts in vehicle operating costs, vehicle fueling costs, reduced smog-forming emissions, and a cut in greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information about the program, check out the full news release.

 

Azure Dynamics delivers 1000th hybrid truck

It's been a good year for larger hybrid vehicles. Hybrid school buses are making a splash on the public school scene, Ford is ordering up plug-in hybrid versions of its best-selling truck models, and more than 100,000 medium- and heavy-duty hybrid trucks were sold in 2011. 

2011 was especially kind to Azure Dynamics, a company that provides hybrid electric powertrains to producers of hybrid trucks. This week, Azure announced that it delivered its 1,000th Balance Hybrid Electric Truck to Purolator, its largest customer. Purolater operates the largest fleet of Balance Hybrid Electric vehicles, with 555 units. 

“This is a significant milestone in Azure’s history and is fitting that Purolator be the recipient of this 1,000th vehicle,” said Scott Harrison, CEO of Azure. “Purolator continues to be our largest volume customer and consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to the environment by adding cleaner, greener Balance Hybrid Electric vehicles to its fleet.”

NHTSA concludes Chevy Volt investigation; releases interim guidance

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a statement concluding its safety defect investigation into the post-crash fire risk of Chevy Volts. The statement said in part, "Opened on November 25, the agency’s investigation has concluded that no discernible defect trend exists and that the vehicle modifications recently developed by General Motors reduce the potential for battery intrusion resulting from side impacts."
 
The statement further stated, "NHTSA remains unaware of any real-world crashes that have resulted in a battery-related fire involving the Chevy Volt or any other electric vehicle. NHTSA continues to believe that electric vehicles show great promise as a safe and fuel-efficient option for American drivers. However, as the reports released in conjunction with the closure of the investigation today indicate , fires following NHTSA crash tests of the vehicle and its battery components—and the innovative nature of this emerging technology—led the agency to take the unusual step of opening a safety defect investigation in the absence of data from real-world incidents.
 
NHTSA has developed interim guidance—with the assistance of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Department of Energy, and others—to increase awareness and identify appropriate safety measures for these groups. The agency expects this guidance will help inform the ongoing work by NFPA, DOE, and vehicle manufacturers to educate the emergency response community, law enforcement officers, and others about electric vehicles."

The interim guidance is directed towards consumers, the emergency response community, and tow truck operators and storage facilities. In addition to audience specific information, the guidance contains the several considerations for Electric and Hybrid-Electric Vehicles Equipped with High Voltage (HV) Batteries:

ELECTRIC AND HYBRID-ELECTRIC VEHICLE CONSIDERATIONS

In the event of damage to or fire involving an Electric (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 or HV batteries present a potential HV shock hazard.

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

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

NFPA provided assistance and expertise to NHTSA as it developed its interim guidance. Our input was based on our experience in developing the Electric Vehicle Safety Training program and our extensive knowledge in providing guidance to first responders on various hazardous materials and response.

NFPA, through a grant funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, developed a safety training program to help first responders prepare for the growing number of electric vehicles on the road in the United States. The training is based on extensive research and findings from the Fire Protection Research Foundation and others including focus groups with the fire service throughout the country.

NFPA training contains best practices based on the latest information for how first responders should deal with crashes involving electric and hybrid-electric cars.

As with any new technology, information continues to be learned. NFPA will continually update its  training to reflect any new information that has been learned from the NHTSA work and any other information that becomes available.

For additional information on the Volt investigation and others, visit www.SaferCar.gov. For additional information on NFPA's EV Safety Training program visit www.evsafetytraining.org.

 

Ford plans new Transit van and plug-in trucks

While Ford has gotten major points in the EV market with its environmentally-friendly sedans, Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Ford Focus Electric, not enough attention has been paid to the American automaker’s larger vehicles.

The Ford Transit Connect van, which has been sold in Europe for some time, is new to the U.S. market, but it came in with a bang—winning Truck of the Year at the North American International Auto Show in 2010. The Transit van gets great mileage and is much lighter than similar vans, making it more environmentally-friendly to produce, and is also available in an electric model.

In addition, SAE reports that Ford has currently working with Azure Dynamics (its partner in developing the Transit Connect Electric) to develop a plug-in hybrid-electric Super Duty F-450/F-550, one of Ford’s biggest and hardiest trucks. Production of the hybrid models would likely start in 2014.

 

EV Safety Training hits Illinois

Continuing on our cross-country training expedition, the EV Safety Training team visited the Illinois Fire Service Institute to deliver a classroom train-the-trainer session to Illinois first responders. One hundred students were in attendance, and State Farm Insurance provided a Chevy Volt and an extricated Honda Insight, as well as a hybrid vehicle battery.

The great attendance at this training reveals just how anticipated—and important!—the EV Safety Training program is to first responders in all states, not just the areas that we associate with high EV density.

The next stop of the EV Safety Training tour is the Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute on January 28. For more information, and to learn when we’re coming to your state, visit our calendar page. 

Hybrid buses saving the planet—and school budgets

Way back in October, we posted about the eTrans: an all-electric school bus created by Trans Tech Bus intended to cut the gas guzzled by school districts across the U.S. While the eTrans won’t be available until later in 2012, some school districts have decided to get the next best thing: hybrid school buses.

In Kentucky, Jefferson County Public Schools have purchased 18 hybrid school buses as “part of a statewide push to use more of the fuel-efficient vehicles to save money on gas,” according to WLKY. This brings the district’s hybrid bus total to fifty, more than any other school district in the country. Kentucky has almost 160 hybrid buses, which were purchased using federal stimulus money.

With approximately 26 million elementary and secondary school children riding school buses twice a day in the United States, it’s no surprise that school bus gas bills can easily eat their way through a state budget. With the increased gas mileage provided by hybrid models, schools can reduce their carbon footprint—and teach students that going green saves more than just the environment.