Electrical Vehicle Safety Training

Vehicle Profile: Chevrolet Volt

Today we are going to take a quick look at the first Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) on the market, the Chevrolet Volt.  It was first released in the fall of 2010 in select markets, and went nationwide in 2011. 

From the exterior, the vehicle can be primarily identified by the “Volt” badging on the front fenders and on the liftgate.  Additionally, the door for the charging port is located on the driver’s side front fender underneath the Volt logo.  The interior features digital display screens which also provide clues such as the battery state of charge indictor.

The Volt is constructed of nearly 80% high and ultra-high strength steel with the vehicle essentially built around the six foot, 400 pound, liquid cooled, 360 volt lithium ion battery that runs down the center of the vehicle and under the rear seats.  In addition to the high voltage battery, there is an engine generator under the hood that is designed to generate electricity to power the drive motors when the battery becomes depleted.  The average range on the fully charged battery is 25-50 miles with an additional 344 miles provided by the engine generator running off the 9.3 gallon gasoline supply.  The Volt battery can be recharged using a level I or II charging station.

Since this vehicle has both a high voltage electrical system as well as a gasoline powered generator onboard, first responders should treat this vehicle as you would a hybrid and be sure to control both energy sources.

For a more in depth look at this vehicle and its emergency response procedures be sure to take our Volt safety training course.

Stay Safe,

Jason

 

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.

 

GM announces enhancements to the Chevy Volt

NHTSA makes statement in response

General Motors today announced enhancements to the vehicle structure and battery coolant system in the Chevrolet Volt that would further protect the battery from the possibility of an electrical fire occurring days or weeks after a severe crash.

The enhancements come in response to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Preliminary Evaluation to examine post-severe crash battery performance. 

NHTSA opened its Preliminary Evaluation on Nov. 25 following a severe-impact lab test on a battery pack that resulted in an electrical fire six days later. The test was conducted to reproduce a coolant leak that occurred in a full-scale vehicle crash test last May that resulted in an electrical fire three weeks later.  

According to the GM press release, modifications will:

• Strengthen an existing portion of the Volt’s vehicle safety structure to further protect the battery pack in a severe side collision.
• Add a sensor in the reservoir of the battery coolant system to monitor coolant levels.
• Add a tamper-resistant bracket to the top of the battery coolant reservoir to help prevent potential coolant overfill.

GM conducted four successful crash tests between Dec. 9 and 21 of Volts with the structural enhancement. The enhancement performed as intended. There was no intrusion into the battery pack and no coolant leakage in any of the tests.

NHSTA issued a statement regarding the GM action saying the agency has not concluded that investigation and is continuing to gather and assess information on the post-crash fire risk in these vehicles.

The statement further said, "Based on the work that NHTSA has already completed — under the observation of representatives of General Motors and in close consultation and collaboration with experts from the Department of Energy, and the Department of Defense — it appears that both battery intrusion and coolant leakage must be present to enable post-crash fire in the Volt. While the agency remains unaware of any fires from real-world crashes involving the Volt, each of the known cases of fire resulting from laboratory crash tests included these conditions.

NHTSA crashed a Chevy Volt retrofitted with GM’s newly designed steel reinforcement device in a side-pole impact test on December 22. The results of that crash test showed no intrusion into the vehicle’s battery compartment, and no coolant leakage was apparent. As a precaution, NHTSA has monitored the crashed vehicle since the test and will continue to do so for one more week. However, the preliminary results of the crash test indicate the remedy proposed by General Motors today should address the issue of battery intrusion.

In the coming weeks, NHTSA will complete the analysis of the overall research undertaken since the initial fire incident in June. The agency will make public its conclusions and any corresponding implications for consumers, the emergency response community, and tow truck operators and storage facility managers upon closure of the safety defect investigation."

NFPA continues to stay up to date on any new developments from auto manufacturers and government agencies in order to share the latest information through our EV Safety Training project.  NFPA’s Electric Vehicle Safety Training project is a nationwide program to help firefighters and other first responders  effectively deal with potential emergency situations involving electric vehicles.For more information on training and other resources visit http://evsafetytraining.org

NHTSA announces additional electric vehicle safety information

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced further action to assess the risk of fire in Chevy Volts that have been involved in serious crashes. The recent crash tests from NHTSA involving the Chevrolet Volt indicate that additional steps may be required to disable a damaged battery after a crash.

In the NHTSA crash tests, fires occurred days or weeks after the battery had been severely damaged and left charged. GM has said that in the event of an actual crash that damages the battery they will send out a team of experts to properly drain the battery and mitigate the possibility of a fire. GM President of North America Mark Reuss issued a letter to Volt owners outlining the steps they are taking with regards to the investigation.

NFPA's EV Safety Training Project’s focus is to give first responders the information they need to address the immediate safety issues that can arise in crashes or other emergency situations involving electric vehicles. While the information gathered by NHTSA and GM as part of this investigation likely will be used primarily by second responders, NFPA will continue to stay up to date on any new developments and share information as part of our training as it becomes available.

As noted in its press release this week, NHTSA has indicated that there is “no additional risk for an electric vehicle than a traditional gas-powered vehicle” and that “Chevy Volt owners whose vehicles have not been in a serious crash do not have reason for concern.”

NHTSA continues to urge emergency responders to take the following precautions—all of which are covered in our training course—in the event of a crash involving any electric vehicle:

• Emergency responders should check a vehicle for markings or other indications that it is electric-powered. If it is, they should exercise caution, per published guidelines, to avoid any possible electrical shock and should disconnect the battery from the vehicle circuits if possible.
• Emergency responders should also use copious amounts of water if fire is present or suspected and keeping in mind that fire can occur for a considerable period after a crash should proceed accordingly.

For more information about our project, visit http://evsafetytraining.org.

EVs dominate the LA Auto Show

Los Angeles Mayor Anotonio Villaraigosa with the 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas which has been named 2012 Green Car of the Year at the 2011 L.A. Auto Show. (Allen J. Schaben, Los Angeles Times / November 7, 2011)

Premiering this week, the LA Auto Show, the first North American auto show of the season, will set the tone for the rest of the year. And while green cars often make an appearance at the LA show, catering to California’s eco-friendly drivers, this year there are more than 70 alternative fuel and high-efficiency vehicles on display.

Of those vehicles, five are in the running for the Green Car of the Year award. Nominated by Green Car Journal editors, the finalists included the Ford Focus Electric, the Honda Civic Natural Gas, the Mitsubishi I, the Toyota Prius V, and the Volkswagon Passat TDI. On Thursday morning, the Civic took home the prize, joining last year’s winner, the Chevrolet Volt.

The five finalists represent multiple types of alternative fuels: electricity, natural gas, gas-electric hybrids, and diesel fuel. “This year’s Green Car of the Year finalists underscore that there is no single solution to our transportation challenges,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com, in a written statement. 

This myriad of choices represents a lot of options for consumers. But that isn’t a bad thing. According to Medill Reports, “It all comes back to fuel efficiency. The survey showed that 83 percent of its respondents said they would be willing to pay more for a more fuel efficient vehicle and listed cost savings as the No. 1 motivator with environmental friendliness coming in at No. 2.”

With the growing availability of different types and capabilities of alternative-fuel vehicles—and the subsequent increases of the numbers of those vehicles on the road—it’s becoming more and more important to have first responders who are well-trained in addressing all types of vehicles. That’s why EV Safety Training is committed to educating every first responder in the country: to keep  you driving green, and driving safe.

 

GM to produce all-electric Chevy Spark by 2013

Move over, Nissan Leaf—there’s a new all-electric car with a catchy name coming to town!

On Wednesday, General Motors announced that it will be manufacturing its very first all-electric vehicle, a version of the Chevrolet Spark minicar. The new EV will debut in 2013.

“Chevrolet will produce an all-electric version of the Spark minicar for selected U.S. and global markets, including California,” said Jim Federico, Chevy’s global vehicle chief engineer for electric vehicles, at the company’s Detroit headquarters. The new electric Spark will continue GM’s plan to seize the title of “world’s greenest automaker” from Toyota and Honda.

The Spark will come on the heels of the Chevrolet Volt, an extended-range electric vehicle that uses both a high-voltage battery and a gas engine. The lithium-ion battery provides an electric-only range of up to fifty miles, at which point the 1.4-liter gas engine kicks in. 

 

AOL Energy lists top 5 electric vehicle partnerships

The heads of Volvo and Siemens pose for a photo op to celebrate their collaboration.

 Considering the usual competition that goes on in the auto industry, the idea of collaboration is not something one usually associates with big names like GM and Toyota. But with President Obama’s commitment to seeing 1 million electric vehicles on US roads by 2015, auto makers are learning that partnerships, not competition, will get them to the new fuel economy standards faster and more (pun intended) efficiently.

In that spirit, AOL Energy has listed their Top Five Electric Vehicle Partnerships, highlighting the fact that goodwill can lead to as much technical advances as competiveness. The list includes Fisker and BMW, Toyota and Ford, Volvo and Siemens, General Motors and LG, and CODA and Great Wall Motor Company.

To learn more about the still-living spirit of collaboration in the auto manufacturing world, check out the full article.

 

Mother Nature Network names its top 10 electric vehicles

The Ford Focus Electric came in at #6 on Mother Nature Network's list.

While electric vehicles have been around in one form or another for more than a century, the hybrid and electric vehicle industry is still considered relatively new. Here at EV Safety Training, we know all about the ins and outs of just about every hybrid and EV on the market, but for most drivers, when someone mentions an electric vehicle, all they think is, “Oh, like the Prius, right?”

There’s more to electric vehicles than just saving money on gas. The technology used in hybrids and EVs is designed to save something even more important than gas money—our environment!

Mother Nature Network, a huge online resource for anyone interested in green technology, green living, and overall world improvement, released its list of the Top 10 Electric Cars that it finds most likely to succeed. Factors to make the list included battery range, hybrid ability, charging time, and price. 

 

Electric cars get a “charge” out of Electric Avenue

PSU president Wim Wiewel plugs in a Tesla Roadster 
at the unveiling ceremony of Portland State University's "Electric Avenue."

As part of a two-year study at Portland State University, seven electric charging stations (from six different manufacturers) have been installed along a block-long stretch of a downtown Portland, Oregon street. The charging stations were unveiled on Tuesday, August 16, in a ceremony featuring the classic Eddy Grant song, “Electric Avenue.”

The study will examine which manufacturers’ chargers get the most use, who plugs in, and what people do while their cars power up. Drivers can charge their vehicles for free, as long as they pay standard street parking fares at the meter.

According to a Boston.com article, “Electric Avenue” features “one quick-charge station that can juice-up an electric vehicle in about 30 minutes. The other six stations are called level two chargers and can fill up most batteries in four to six hours.”

The hope for the study is that a better understanding of driver habits—whether they wait with their cars, visit a coffee shop while leaving the car plugged—and types of drivers—long distance travelers stopping for a charge, or a PSU professor heading in for work—will help engineers “tailor the next-generation electric car for those needs, eliminating unneeded features and lowering the price,” said Shad Balch, a spokesman for General Motors (which makes the Chevrolet Volt).

Convenient charging stations and an eventual lower price of electric vehicles? Sounds like a plan to us. 

 

Electric vehicles to be put on display in Raleigh

Are you interested in getting a closer look at how electric and hybrid vehicles work? Do you have questions about their technology and safety features? Are you interested in seeing first hand some of the latest plug-in and electric vehicles that are going to be released this year?  Well, if you live anywhere around Raleigh North Carolina, or could travel there, you are in luck!

On July 19^th, Plug-In 2011 Conference & Exposition will be hosting Public Night, where the conference will be open to anyone who wants to come take a look at the latest electric and hybrid vehicles. Auto manufacturers will be bringing vehicles in various stages of completion to show the public how they work from the inside out. Currently, the Chevrolet Volt, the 2012 Ford Focus Electric, the Nissan Leaf, the Siemens Smart Chopper, and the 2012 Toyota Prius plug-in are scheduled for display, with more to be announced as the conference date grows closer.

Public Night will be hosted at the Raleigh Conference Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information regarding show times, conference sessions, and ticket prices, check out the press release.