Hybrid Cars Pose Electrocution Risk

[Tigermike 3,031]

Think about hair dryers in the bath tub!

Hybrid Cars Pose Electrocution Risk

Tuesday, May 04, 2004

PHILADELPHIA  — The growing popularity of hybrid vehicles is a step toward cleaner air and less dependance on gasoline. But for rescuers at accident scenes, they represent a potential new danger: a network of high-voltage circuitry that may require some precise cutting to save a trapped victim.

"You don't want to go crushing anything with hydraulic tools," said Samuel Caroluzzi, an assistant chief with the Norristown Fire Department outside Philadelphia. "It's enough to kill you from what they're telling us in training."

Hybrids draw power from two sources, typically a gas or diesel engine combined with an electric motor. The battery powering the electric motor carries as much as 500 volts, more than 40 times the strength of a standard battery.

That worries those who must cut into cars to rescue people inside.

"If you can't shut it down, you don't know where the high voltage is," said David Dalrymple, an emergency medical technician in New Brunswick, N.J.

Manufacturers have put in place a laundry list of safety checks that the car's computer must go through for the electrical system to run. They've published guides showing where the electric components are on their models; on the Toyota Prius and other hybrids, the high-power cables are colored bright orange to catch the eye of a rescue worker or a mechanic.

But there are concerns over what happens if something goes wrong and the battery, ignition and other points are inaccessible.

"It's the 'what-if' that worries me," said David Castiaux, an instructor for Mid-Del Technology Center in Del City, Okla., who teaches rescue workers about hybrids.

Chris Peterson, a service training instructor for Toyota, said the Prius' electric system should shut down if anything goes wrong.

"There should not be high voltage in those cables, but I'm not going to stand up and say there isn't," he said.

First responders are taught to disconnect the battery and turn off the key immediately before cutting into a car, but that's not always possible.

"Years ago you could just cut with your extrication tools through a post, but now you have to look before you cut," said Ken Nelsen, chief of the Iselin Fire Department District 11 in Woodbridge Township, N.J. "It's just another thing you need to worry about."

When air bags started becoming more common in the 1980s, rescue workers became aware of their potential to seriously injure or kill when inflated. Those concerns have been heightened now that the safety devices are being installed in side panels, seats and other areas.

Concerns about hybrids are increasing in large part because of their growing popularity. Sales have risen at an average annual rate of 88.6 percent since 2000 and recent figures show the number of Americans driving them jumped more than 25 percent from 2002 to 2003.

The Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius are common now and more are on the way: hybrid versions of the Ford Escape, Honda Accord and Lexus SUV this year, and a Toyota Highlander in 2005.

The Alachua County Fire Rescue in Gainesville, Fla., even has two hybrids of its own. Although its crews haven't had to deal with a hybrid crash, they've been getting versed on what to do when it happens, said Cliff Chapman, assistant chief.

They know not to cut into a hybrid's doors — that's where many of the cables are — and to peel off the roof instead. They also now operate under the assumption that a car is energized, wearing rubber gloves and boots.

Manufacturers say they will continue to keep rescue personnel up to date on their hybrids. But they also contend that hybrids can be seen as safer than regular cars.

"Everybody's concerned about the electrical side, but could you imagine if we tried to bring gasoline out today as a motor fuel?" Peterson said.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,118939,00.html

[CCTAU 3,327]

They are like everthing else, just an illusion. The old batteries are more harmful to the earth than all the normal pollution. Until we can run off of water, the problem will remain.

[TitanTiger 20,483]

As long as the batteries are recycled properly, it shouldn't be a problem...and these batteries are much more likely to be recycled since they'd be changed by a mechanic. Like you say, unless it can run off of water, there isn't a perfect solution. But this is great technology. They just need to keep improving it to where larger cars, SUVs and minivans can use it and have enough power. I'd jump on it as soon as I could afford one. I'd love to get 35-40 mpg.

[autigger 0]

My stepfather has the hybrid honda. It is the ugliest thing i have ever seen and would neveer be caught dead driving it. However he gets 60mpg...with gas prices as they are right now my camrys 30 mpg is not nearly enough.. $2 is just to high for gas.....

[BustemBigBlue 176]

My mom has a toyota prius hybrid. Best looking hybrid out there. Looks kinda like a celica.

[TitanTiger 20,483]

The Prius is decent looking car...too small for my needs though. However, Ford will have a hybrid Escape (their small SUV) out next year that gets 35-40 mpg with no noticeable loss of power. That's what I'm talking about. Americans will jump on technology like this when you get it into vehicles they can actually use. A Prius or Honda Insight are fine if you are single and mainly use your car to go to work or the grocery store. Anything beyond that where more room and power is required, they may not be so practical.

[Guest AuNuma1]

Why can't they make a decent looking hybrid? Why did they think the back wheels of the Honda hybrid needed to be covered like that? Good God that's horrid! The new Toyota hybrid is the only one that remotely looks normal.

[CCTAU 3,327]

As long as the batteries are recycled properly, it shouldn't be a problem...and these batteries are much more likely to be recycled since they'd be changed by a mechanic. Like you say, unless it can run off of water, there isn't a perfect solution. But this is great technology. They just need to keep improving it to where larger cars, SUVs and minivans can use it and have enough power. I'd jump on it as soon as I could afford one. I'd love to get 35-40 mpg.

There is no such thing as a 100% recycleable battery. Therefore there will always be toxic waste involved in the making and disposing of these batteries. Just because we drop it off at the recycle bin doesn't mean it totally goes away. With the current battery technology, we are just trading one bad thing for another. It is all a step in a better direction. But is it the right direction?