Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) Electric vehicles the answer ?

To get back to the original line of discussion, the Tesla series 3 is currently favorite for what will replace my A class when I change it next year. I can have it with AWD for getting up snowy mountains, fiscally it makes sense for me, I don't do that many long journeys, so reckon I can live with the constraints. It will (just) fit in my parking space at work (which was what made the original Tesla a no-no for me).

The Polestar at FOS was a country mile ahead of Tesla in build quality and a range of 300miles Giles, I 'd check that out first maybe before you jump.

Maybe, but there's a Tesla dealer right round the corner from me.

Many thanks for the heads up Paul, plenty of info there to chew through...(-:

Mark, really sorry to read that a defined EV issue caused such a situation for first responders. The first folk on scene other than victims are not always trained professionals, thus it seems EV`s may have a need to be considered differently in unfortunate situations.. Perhaps best we equip ourselves with some idea of what the issues might be..?

For the BMW i3 : aimed to placate but there is some useful information to be dug out.
There are plenty of safety systems to disconnect the high voltage supplies in the event of mechanical damage.

www.i3guide.com/pdf/BMWi3-safety-manual.pdf

John

As I like to work on my own vehicles I have asked some safety questions about my EV, the response was don't tinker just carry out checks as detailed in the handbook

If it's involved in an RTA there is a pyro device (like airbags & seatbelt tensioners) that will completely cut the battery feed cables safely, this is housed nr the underfloor battery bank so all the electrics onward from this will be dead, the battery contains no liquids, but I appreciate it has chemical components that could contribute to a fire, let alone the high voltages used

Of course ICE vehicles contain plenty of flammable substances and Sulphuric acid, but they've been around for years so we know to be careful with them & probably aren't as concerned as they are familiar

240 volts in your garage will kill you if not respected, some paints & solvents are extremely flammable, remember old fashioned Nitromors !, risks just need managing appropriately

I think t he biggest worry Jon is if Lithium Ion batteries ignite.
The consensus seems to be "let it burn", however I guess that depends where the car is located.
Motorsport UK (formerly MSA) have specific instructions for dealing with EVs, which in a nutshell is several large water tankers capacity and isolate (as in park out of harm's way!) the vehicle.
As a result we will not have EV or hybrids competing at Prescott, nor as Course Cars (the local Porsche OPC has had to find some petrol/diesel cars for us at the last couple of meetings). Can't stop spectators bringing their transport though...

Having seen the damage a burning LIIon battery in a smart phone can do due to the temperatures created I wonder what state the tarmac and surroundings will be in after ia cars pack has finished. I see some serious re surfacing jobs in the future. Or not given the approach to potholes these days!

Interesting I did not know that document existed, anyway I've printed off a copy to keep in my glovebox so I can give it to the crash recovery team, if it's not already in flames

I must admit the fire risk is why I have avoided having batteries for my in house PV solar system so far.