Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular.
They offer numerous advantages, including lower emissions and lower operating costs.
But what happens if an electric vehicle is involved in an accident and has to be stored in a quarantine area?
Such situations present special challenges, as e-vehicles contain complex electrical systems and batteries that require special safety measures.
In this blog post, we highlight the requirements and recommendations for dealing with e-vehicles involved in accidents in quarantine areas.
Why are special specifications necessary?
Electric vehicles differ from conventional vehicles in several respects.
In particular, the high-voltage batteries and the electrical systems pose special risks, including
- Fire hazard: Lithium-ion batteries can ignite or explode if damaged.
The electrical shutdown of the high-voltage system usually ensures that the connecting cable between the battery pack and the high-voltage cables to the electric drive is disconnected within milliseconds.
There is usually a risk when the vehicle is parked for long periods if liquids (such as coolant and rainwater) penetrate the battery cells. - Electrical hazards: High-voltage systems can cause serious electric shocks if handled incorrectly.
- Environmental risks: Leaking battery fluids can be harmful to the environment.
These specific risks require guidelines and recommendations to ensure the safety of people and the environment.
Specifications, tips and recommendations
- Immediately secure and mark the scene of the accident:
The accident site should be secured immediately and clearly marked to keep unauthorized persons away.
Warning signs must indicate possible electrical hazards.
- Use of specially trained personnel:
Only specially trained personnel should be entrusted with the recovery and handling of e-vehicles involved in accidents.
Regular training and exercises are required to keep personnel up to date.
- Safe transportation:
Crashed e-vehicles must be transported in special transport containers or on tow trucks with isolation options.
One such isolation option is the VLITEX Car Service Set.
This set consists of two fire blankets that completely enclose the damaged vehicle and thus prevent the flames from spreading to other vehicles or the surrounding area in the event of ignition during transportation.
Care should be taken to ensure that no further damage is caused to the battery or electrical systems.
- Storage in the quarantine area:
On the initiative of the VDA (German Association of the Automotive Industry), the standards for quarantine parking spaces were laid down in 2022.
Without additional fire protection measures, a distance of at least 5m must be maintained from the parked vehicle to flammable objects / other vehicles.
Maintaining these distances is a major challenge for many car dealerships, workshops and towing companies.
By means of a fire barrier ceiling this area can be reduced considerably: from 5m to 1.5m, which means a reduction in area from 169sqm to 35sqm for a conventional car size – an enormous space saving!
Dry storage is also recommended – when vehicles are parked for long periods, there is often a great risk of liquids (such as rainwater) penetrating the battery.
The VLITEX PREMIUM fire protection cover is impermeable to water and prevents rainwater from penetrating the battery.
Damaged electric vehicles should be stored on non-flammable surfaces to prevent the fire from spreading in the event of a battery fire.
Regular monitoring of the temperature and condition of the batteries at least twice a day and documentation are advisable.
The VLITEX Temperature Tracker is a way of monitoring the temperature of the battery continuously and documenting it at the same time. In the event of an unusual rise in temperature or if a limit value is exceeded, an alarm is sent by e-mail and/or SMS to previously stored contacts. This means that necessary measures can be initiated quickly.
5. handling damaged batteries:
Damaged batteries must be disposed of properly. Special disposal companies that specialize in handling lithium-ion batteries must be commissioned for this purpose. Leaks or escaping liquids should be removed immediately and properly to prevent environmental pollution.
6. emergency plans and communication
Clear emergency plans must be in place in the event of a battery fire or other incidents. Transparent communication between the emergency services, warehouse staff and the relevant authorities is essential.
Charge rates
Both VLITEX fire blankets and the VLITEX Temperature Tracker can be invoiced by the provider of the quarantine area to the vehicle owner’s insurance company. According to the VBA’s 2024 price and structure survey, a fire protection blanket costs an average of €140.59 per day and an average of €376.71 per use. If one compares these rates with the rates for salvage and extinguishing containers (average rate per day of €251.86), it is clear that although the latter is higher, the acquisition costs are many times higher for a fire blanket. A fire barrier is therefore a lucrative alternative for the provider of the quarantine area. Temperature monitoring is charged at an average of €70.85 per day.
The importance of safety precautions
Compliance with these guidelines and recommendations is crucial in order to minimize the risks associated with e-vehicles involved in accidents. Careful handling and correct storage can prevent potentially dangerous situations and ensure the safety of people and the environment.
Conclusion
Accidental e-vehicles pose special challenges in the quarantine area that require special safety measures and specifications. From securing the scene of the accident and safe transportation to proper storage and disposal of the batteries – every step must be carefully planned and carried out. The correct handling of e-vehicles involved in accidents contributes significantly to the safety and protection of people and the environment.
The use of fire barrier blankets offers considerable advantages for the provider of quarantine areas in many respects: considerable space savings in the quarantine area, as well as protection against the ingress of rainwater (when using a closed-cell fire barrier blanket such as VLITEX PREMIUM) into the battery of the damaged vehicle. The low acquisition costs (approx. €2,000) compared to a rescue and extinguishing container (from €25,000) are another plus point for a fire barrier.
Notes: We assume no liability for the completeness of this article with regard to prescribed measures for quarantine areas. This article serves only as an overview and contains recommendations.
Tanja Baer
