| Safety is a top concern for everyone. | | | | That's something to consider. Can I get electrocuted? |
| Understandably so. With the staggering number of | | | | Not likely, but you could get a really bad shock if |
| accidents and deaths on our road systems, it's a | | | | there aren't some safety measures in place. And |
| wonder we even have the guts to get out of bed in | | | | there is the remote chance of a fire if there is a |
| the morning, let alone hop in a self-guided, land-bound | | | | short in the system somewhere (but that's the case |
| missile made of metal and glass and full of | | | | with anything electrical, including the electrical system |
| combustible liquid -- only to merge onto a freeway | | | | in your car right now). A good electric vehicle design |
| teeming with thousands of other similar missiles, all | | | | includes in-line fuses, isolators and emergency |
| going to different locations. (Bet you never thought | | | | disconnects as safety precautions. This is electricity |
| about driving to work in those frightening terms | | | | we're dealing with. Don't go poking around if you |
| before). | | | | don't know what you're doing. But don't worry, a |
| The point is, we've grown accustomed to the safety | | | | good electric car kit or conversion plan will include the |
| measures that have been adopted over the years to | | | | necessary safety measures. |
| make sure we don't run into each other on the road | | | | Lead-acid batteries may need to be vented in case |
| (although some people still haven't learned them yet). | | | | of overcharge, but safeguards in the design will |
| We are oblivious of the painstaking measures that | | | | eliminate any problems there. For example: If you are |
| manufacturers take to make sure our gas tank | | | | converting your own vehicle, don't mount your |
| doesn't explode, or the door doesn't fall off or | | | | batteries in the passenger compartment; or if you |
| accidentally open, or the wheels don't fall off, or that | | | | absolutely have to, make sure to attach a venting |
| the brakes actually bring the car to a stop before we | | | | system with a fan that will draw any possible noxious |
| hit the car in front of us. The quiet comfort of the | | | | gases out of the vehicle. You need not worry about |
| cockpit has lulled us into a blase attitude toward | | | | this if your batteries are mounted under the hood or |
| normal highway speeds. Even the speeds we travel in | | | | under the body with direct venting to the outside. A |
| our neighborhood would be nerve-racking, if not | | | | carefully calibrated charging system will all but |
| terrifying if we were on roller skates. | | | | eliminate the possibility of overheating the batteries, |
| So how do we relate with new technologies as they | | | | which will extend the life of your batteries. Again, a |
| enter our normal transportational lives? We panic! | | | | good kit, book or plan will cover this. |
| "OMG, is it safe?" We eye it with careful suspicion | | | | The other possible safety issue in an EV is weight. |
| and ask the begging question: "what happens if I | | | | Batteries are heavy. Again, we're talking mainly about |
| crash?" These are relevant questions, especially if | | | | lead-acid variety, since they are most readily available |
| you're talking about a home-built or converted EV. | | | | at this time. A lot of lead-acid batteries means a lot |
| So how safe is an electric vehicle (EV)? Does it emit | | | | of lead, which means a lot of weight. Weight poorly |
| fumes? No. Does it require special attention? Not | | | | distributed can cause a vehicle to handle poorly, |
| really. Does it drive differently? Not especially. What | | | | corner badly or wear parts down prematurely. In |
| happens when you crash? About the same thing as | | | | other words, if you are converting a vehicle to |
| any other vehicle. The main difference is that there | | | | electric, don't mount your batteries on the roof (duh), |
| are no combustible liquids to deal with. This should be | | | | and keep the weight ratio as close as possible to the |
| a relief to everyone, especially emergency response | | | | original specifications. In general, keeping the center |
| and rescue workers. About the only things to | | | | of gravity low and....well, centered....will keep your |
| consider in an accident are the batteries -- still the | | | | vehicle upright and handling properly. Replacing the |
| EV's equivalent to the gas tank. If it uses lead-acid | | | | suspension and the brakes with new ones, and |
| batteries, then at worst there will be a corrosive fluid | | | | maybe a little beefier will also help. If done right, an |
| to deal with if the acid leaks, with a slight chance of | | | | electric vehicle can actually have less of a chance for |
| a small fire. But nothing is going to approach the kind | | | | rollover if the weight is mounted low. |
| of explosion we're accustomed to seeing on TV | | | | Introducing new technology always makes people a |
| when a car crashes. In fact most modern EVs use | | | | little nervous, especially when it comes to safety. But |
| either a sealed, or gel battery fluid, in which case | | | | remember, there is no combustible fluid to worry |
| there is little to worry about. If you go to the extra | | | | about, so in that case, I would consider an electric |
| expense of getting high-tech batteries, such as | | | | car safer than an ICE, or even other alternative fuels |
| Lithium Ion (Li-ion), make sure you get them from a | | | | for that matter. Other than that a new or converted |
| reputable dealer, preferably one that knows what | | | | EV is about the same as any other car. Sure, it may |
| you are going to do with them and approves them | | | | feel a little different (smoother) and sound a little |
| for that use. Li-ion cells need to be stacked together | | | | different (quieter), but I think we can get used to |
| efficiently so as to distribute heat well. | | | | that. |
| Ok, so there's a lot of voltage sitting under you. | | | | |