11

DRILL OF THE MONTHDRILL OF THE MONTH

HYBRID VEHICLESHYBRID VEHICLES

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WHAT IS A HYBRID VEHICLE?WHAT IS A HYBRID VEHICLE?

Any vehicle which combines two or Any vehicle which combines two or more sources of power.more sources of power.

Examples:Examples: Diesel – electricDiesel – electric Nuclear – electricNuclear – electric Gasoline - electricGasoline - electric

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HYBRID STRUCTUREHYBRID STRUCTURE

The two power sources found in hybridThe two power sources found in hybrid

vehicles may be combined in different vehicles may be combined in different

ways, either in parallel or seriesways, either in parallel or series

Either one will allow the gasoline Either one will allow the gasoline engine to shut down when it is not engine to shut down when it is not

needed.needed.

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PARALLEL HYBRIDPARALLEL HYBRID

Gasoline motorGasoline motor Batteries which Batteries which

powers an electric powers an electric motormotor

Both can power the Both can power the transmission at the transmission at the same timesame time

Electric motor Electric motor supplements the supplements the gasoline enginegasoline engine

55

SERIES HYBRIDSERIES HYBRID

Gasoline motor turns Gasoline motor turns a generatora generator

Generator may Generator may either charge the either charge the batteries or power batteries or power an electric motor an electric motor that drives the that drives the transmissiontransmission

At low speeds is At low speeds is powered only by the powered only by the electric motorelectric motor

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HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSSYSTEMS

Power for the electric motor is Power for the electric motor is supplied by high-voltage nickel-metal supplied by high-voltage nickel-metal hydride batteryhydride battery

Batteries for all hybrids are produced Batteries for all hybrids are produced by Panasonic EV Energy in Japanby Panasonic EV Energy in Japan

Voltage ranges from 144 volts to 650 Voltage ranges from 144 volts to 650 volts of DC currentvolts of DC current

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HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSSYSTEMS

High voltage wiring may color coded High voltage wiring may color coded orange, bright blue or even yelloworange, bright blue or even yellow

Batteries vary in design, however, all Batteries vary in design, however, all incorporate individual cells incorporate individual cells connected to one anotherconnected to one another

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HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSSYSTEMS

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BATTERIESBATTERIES

Individual cells originally contained Individual cells originally contained liquid potassium hydroxideliquid potassium hydroxide

The liquid is almost totally absorbed The liquid is almost totally absorbed by the paper membranes inside each by the paper membranes inside each cell of the batterycell of the battery

Because the liquid is absorbed these Because the liquid is absorbed these batteries are considered “dry cell” batteries are considered “dry cell” batteriesbatteries

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BATTERIESBATTERIES

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HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSSYSTEMS

Batteries are usually located in the Batteries are usually located in the rear of the vehicle under the floor of rear of the vehicle under the floor of the trunk or under the rear seat.the trunk or under the rear seat.

The wiring harness from the batteries The wiring harness from the batteries usually runs below the floorpan of usually runs below the floorpan of the vehicle about one foot in from the vehicle about one foot in from the driver’s side of the vehicle.the driver’s side of the vehicle.

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HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSSYSTEMS

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BATTERY RECHARGINGBATTERY RECHARGING

The Ni-MH batteries are recharged The Ni-MH batteries are recharged through a process call regenerative through a process call regenerative brakingbraking

Regenerative braking takes energy from Regenerative braking takes energy from the forward momentum of the vehicle the forward momentum of the vehicle and captures it while coasting or braking.and captures it while coasting or braking.

Occasionally batteries are recharged by Occasionally batteries are recharged by the electric motorthe electric motor

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THE “SILENT” HYBRIDTHE “SILENT” HYBRID

Most gasoline Most gasoline engines in hybrids engines in hybrids will shut off when will shut off when not needed – i.e. not needed – i.e. when stopped in when stopped in traffictraffic

Most hybrids have Most hybrids have an indicator light an indicator light which may alert which may alert individuals to the individuals to the status of the vehiclestatus of the vehicle

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THE “SILENT” HYBRIDTHE “SILENT” HYBRID

When the vehicle is in this silent When the vehicle is in this silent mode it may “awaken” without mode it may “awaken” without noticenotice

Chocking the wheels is critical to Chocking the wheels is critical to responder safetyresponder safety

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EMERGENCY PROCEDURESEMERGENCY PROCEDURESFIRESFIRES

Vehicle fires can be handled following Vehicle fires can be handled following normal vehicle firefighting proceduresnormal vehicle firefighting procedures

Crews should not be shocked, even if Crews should not be shocked, even if flames are impinging on the battery flames are impinging on the battery pack itselfpack itself

Virtually all fires involving Ni-MH Virtually all fires involving Ni-MH batteries can be controlled with waterbatteries can be controlled with water

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EMERGENCY PROCEDURESEMERGENCY PROCEDURESNi – MH BATTERY PACK Ni – MH BATTERY PACK

PHYSICAL DAMAGEPHYSICAL DAMAGE High-voltage circuits are color-coded either High-voltage circuits are color-coded either

orange, bright blue or yelloworange, bright blue or yellow Never disassemble or remove the metal Never disassemble or remove the metal

cover of the high-voltage battery packcover of the high-voltage battery pack DC current is normally isolated from any DC current is normally isolated from any

contact with the vehicle itself – theoretically contact with the vehicle itself – theoretically in order to receive a shock you would have in order to receive a shock you would have to physically contact two separate points to physically contact two separate points within the high-voltage system at the same within the high-voltage system at the same timetime

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EMERGENCY PROCEDURESEMERGENCY PROCEDURESNi – MH BATTERY PACK Ni – MH BATTERY PACK

PHYSICAL DAMAGEPHYSICAL DAMAGE If the high-voltage cables running If the high-voltage cables running

under the vehicle were damaged the under the vehicle were damaged the high-voltage battery is designed high-voltage battery is designed short circuit.short circuit.

This short circuit would de-energize This short circuit would de-energize the entire high-voltage battery circuitthe entire high-voltage battery circuit

1919

HYBRID VEHICLES – CRASH HYBRID VEHICLES – CRASH PROCEDURESPROCEDURES

Hybrid vehicle identificationHybrid vehicle identification Vehicle stabilizationVehicle stabilization Access to the passenger compartmentAccess to the passenger compartment Shift gear selector lever (to park)Shift gear selector lever (to park) Turn the key “OFF” and remove it from the Turn the key “OFF” and remove it from the

ignitionignition Check that the “ready” indicator light is outCheck that the “ready” indicator light is out Disconnect the 12-volt battery.Disconnect the 12-volt battery.

2020

HYBRID VEHICLES – OTHER HYBRID VEHICLES – OTHER CONSIDERATIONSCONSIDERATIONS

A rear-end collision would destroy the most A rear-end collision would destroy the most obvious hybrid vehicle logos obvious hybrid vehicle logos

• Indicator light on the dash would help identifyIndicator light on the dash would help identify• Vented c-pillar on older hybridsVented c-pillar on older hybrids• Orange wiring under the hoodOrange wiring under the hood

If the high-voltage battery is severely If the high-voltage battery is severely damaged it should be considered a hazmat damaged it should be considered a hazmat incidentincident

• This is not true, the total amount of liquid originally This is not true, the total amount of liquid originally placed in the batteries is only around 6 oz.; this is almost placed in the batteries is only around 6 oz.; this is almost totally absorbed by the paper membranes in the cellstotally absorbed by the paper membranes in the cells

2121

HYBRID VEHICLES – OTHER HYBRID VEHICLES – OTHER CONSIDERATIONSCONSIDERATIONS

KEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEMSKEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEMS

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KEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEMSKEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEMS

Convenience of push button startConvenience of push button start Systems are designed to deter theft Systems are designed to deter theft

and break-insand break-ins Utilize key fobs which contain a chip Utilize key fobs which contain a chip

with an ID code that the vehicle must with an ID code that the vehicle must recognizerecognize

The key fob must be in the vehicle in The key fob must be in the vehicle in order for the car to startorder for the car to start

2323

KEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEMSKEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEMSWhat do we do in an emergency?What do we do in an emergency?

Place the vehicle in Park and press the Place the vehicle in Park and press the start/stop or power button.start/stop or power button.

If possible remove the key fob from the If possible remove the key fob from the interior of the vehicle – this may be difficult interior of the vehicle – this may be difficult since it may be in a purse or pants pocket. since it may be in a purse or pants pocket. This will prevent the car from being powered This will prevent the car from being powered up if the low voltage system cannot be up if the low voltage system cannot be secured.secured.

Disconnect the low voltage battery per Disconnect the low voltage battery per department policy.department policy.

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COMMON MEANS OF COMMON MEANS OF IDENTIFICATIONIDENTIFICATION

2525

COMMON MEANS OF COMMON MEANS OF IDENTIFICATIONIDENTIFICATION

2626

COMMON MEANS OF COMMON MEANS OF IDENTIFICATIONIDENTIFICATION

2727

WHO’S MAKING HYBRIDS WHO’S MAKING HYBRIDS NOW?NOW?

HondaHonda• AccordAccord• CivicCivic• InsightInsight

ToyotaToyota• PriusPrius• CamryCamry• HighlanderHighlander

FordFord• EscapeEscape

MazdaMazda• TributeTribute

SaturnSaturn• VueVue

LexusLexus• RX 400h SUVRX 400h SUV• GS 450hGS 450h• LS 600h LLS 600h L

MercuryMercury• Mariner SUVMariner SUV

DodgeDodge• Ram – contractor’s editionRam – contractor’s edition

General MotorsGeneral Motors• Silverado and Sierra Silverado and Sierra • MalibuMalibu• Tahoe/YukonTahoe/Yukon

NissanNissan• AltimaAltima• VersaVersa

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WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE FUTURE?FUTURE?

Toyota Sienna minivanToyota Sienna minivan Chrysler AspenChrysler Aspen Cadillac EscaladeCadillac Escalade Dodge DurangoDodge Durango Porsche CayennePorsche Cayenne BMW X6BMW X6 Hyundai AccentHyundai Accent Mercedes Benz S400Mercedes Benz S400

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SUMMARYSUMMARY

Due to the proliferation of hybrid vehicles Due to the proliferation of hybrid vehicles on the road today, responders must be on the road today, responders must be

familiar with how these vehicles operate, familiar with how these vehicles operate, and how to handle an emergency which and how to handle an emergency which

involves one of these vehicles.involves one of these vehicles.

Additionally, responders must stay up-to-Additionally, responders must stay up-to-date with current vehicle technology, as date with current vehicle technology, as

it is continuously changing.it is continuously changing.