Which hazard is of particular concern with electric-drive vehicles?

High-voltage components are of particular concern with electric-drive vehicles due to the significant risks they pose in emergency situations. These vehicles often utilize high-voltage battery systems to power electric motors, which can exceed 400 volts. The danger arises not only from the potential for electric shock to responders but also from the possibility of electric arcs during a vehicle fire or collision. Firefighters need to be aware of the locations and configurations of these high-voltage systems to safely manage incidents involving electric vehicles.

While fuel cell stacks, drive batteries, and secondary batteries have their own concerns, they do not present the same immediate electrical hazard that high-voltage components do. Fuel cell stacks operate using chemical reactions, and while they may pose their own risks related to hydrogen storage, they do not involve direct high-voltage electricity. Drive batteries are crucial for electric-drives, but the higher voltage is generally associated with the specific systems designed for electric propulsion, making high-voltage components the primary concern for safety.