To continue breaking down GB New article (previous post awaiting moderation)
The batteries themselves present particular dangers. They can be damaged by the extreme heat generated by combustion engines, making them more likely to ignite. Once alight, battery fires are far harder to extinguish than conventional car fires.
Fact:
The article relates to PHEV’s and not wider Hybrids, as the press would like to make out. PHEV batteries are often fitted under the car similar to EV’s due to there larger size and are positioned to the rear of the vehicle for weight distribution, away from the engine!
There are also risks from the high electrical currents flowing through hybrid vehicles, which can pose serious dangers to occupants and emergency responders following a collision.
Fact: Is this not especially true for BEV’s?
Emergency services face significant challenges when dealing with hybrid crashes. Firefighters and paramedics often require specialist training and equipment to manage the different nature of hybrid vehicle fires.
Fact: This is also true of BEV’s, as litium batteries also need a different approach and specialist training!
There is also the added risk of toxic gases being released if batteries are damaged, further complicating rescue efforts.
Fact: Does this not apply to BEV’s also?
Nicholas Lyes from the road safety charity IAM RoadSmart highlighted the technical difficulties posed by hybrid vehicles. He told The Mail on Sunday: “Plug-in hybrids are often heavier and more complex vehicles owing to the fact they run on both a traditional combustion engine and a battery.”
Fact: PHEV’s are heavier than equivulent ICE, but not as heavy as an equivulent size BEV (Sportage gts PHEV 1900kg EV5 gts 2200kg). Yes they have two fuel system that are seperated and combine at the flywheel and note as I said earlier 2 bombs!
So, it seems from my first response (moderated) there are calls for a road safety branch in general, but is not specifically related with hybrids or any single fuel source. It seems, the press are inadvertently targeting BEV’s with much of their waffle and why there is always the need to seperate the media from reality!!
