Technical information

2.4 Is it possible for emergency service personnel to manually deactivate a HV system?
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Yes, electric or hybrid cars offer various ways of manually deactivating the HV system.

Most vehicles are equipped with an additional switch-off device for the HV system, which can be used by
emergency service personnel. These switch-off devices are called 12 volt separation points. These separation
points can also be operated by non-specialists of HV to deactivate the HV system.
Note: The high-voltage battery pack is not discharged by this process – but it is electrically separated from the
HV system.
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The recommended procedure for manual deactivation is described in the emergency services datasheet of the
corresponding manufacturer.
.
2.5 What are the dangers from damaged high-voltage cables following an accident if it is identified that the
airbags have not been activated?

There is always an electrical hazard from damaged HV cables or components. Never touch HV cables /
components.
Note: HV cables are always orange coloured.
.
3. Danger from HV battery pack
3.1 Can high-voltage battery packs discharge after an accident?
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No, electrical discharging of the HV battery pack is not practical at the scene of an accident.
.
3.2 How should I proceed with a damaged HV battery pack in the vehicle?

Never touch a damaged HV battery pack.
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Observe the state of the HV battery pack (for example smoke formation).
Qualified electrical specialists must be requested via the central control centre to assess the specific electrical danger
and determine how to proceed.
.
3.3 How should I proceed with a HV battery pack or parts thereof that have become separated from the vehicle
due to an accident?
In the very unlikely event of this occurring, you should be aware of the possibility of electrical, chemical, mechanical and
thermal risks from the HV battery pack.

Never touch the HV battery pack.

Qualified electrical specialists must be requested via the central control centre to assess the specific electrical
danger and determine how to proceed.
.
4. Chemical damage
4.1 How should I deal with leaked electrolyte from HV battery packs after an accident?

Electrolytes are usually irritants, combustible and potentially corrosive. Contact with the skin and inhalation of
the vapours must always be avoided.

Conventional binders are to be used.
.
4.2 What are the potential hazards from "degassing" a HV battery pack?

In the immediate vicinity, gases are irritants, combustible and potentially corrosive and should not be inhaled
under any circumstances.

The recovery process must be halted and further procedures coordinated with the head of the fire service.
.
5. Thermal danger (fire)
5.1 In the event of a fire, should I expect an explosion of the high-voltage battery pack?

Thanks to appropriate safety technology, the risk of explosion of HV battery packs is absolutely eliminated.

The high-voltage battery and its individual battery cells have mechanical safety fittings, which open, for
example, in the event of temperature and pressure increase relating to a fire, thus leading to targeted
degassing and pressure reduction.
.
5.2 In the event of an electric or hybrid car fire, should I expect the release of toxic smoke from the fire?

Yes, in the event of an electric or hybrid car fire, as well as a conventional vehicle fire, hazardous smoke
should be expected from burning materials such as plastics.
.
5.3 Can a fire in the high-voltage battery pack still take place at a later time after an accident?
Yes, as with conventional vehicles which have been involved an accident, the residual risk of a delayed fire cannot be
ruled out. This particularly applies to damaged HV battery packs (see question 8.5).
.
5.4 Can a vehicle with HV battery packs be extinguished and what extinguishant is to be used?

In general, yes.
Water is to be considered the preferred extinguishant as it cools the HV battery pack at the same time. The use of lots of
water to extinguish and/or cool is recommended.
.
6. Electrical charging infrastructure
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