“It’s not the fuel that’s killing people, it’s a lack of knowledge that’s hurting people,” she said.
For example, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s fact sheet on responding to electric or hybrid electric vehicles with high-voltage batteries offers some tips that responders might not be aware of when approaching a vehicle. Because electric vehicles make so little noise, it’s hard to tell if the vehicle is still running. In addition, venting vapors from a damaged battery can be toxic or flammable. In the case of a flooded car, there could be short circuits that could cause fire.