Electric Vehicles and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles: safety and efficiency

As Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) come into widespread commercial use, we consider how to charge such vehicles safely where appropriate and how to maximise their efficiency.

There is a risk to employees and others from the use of workplace transport and although EVs and PHEVs are not considered to be any more dangerous than other forms of workplace transport, the requirement to provide charging equipment for them brings potential electrical and fire hazards. Driving EVs and PHEVs may also require drivers to change their driving habits.

Safely charging EVs and PHEVs

Electric Vehicles are powered by one or more electric motors, using only energy stored in the vehicle’s battery pack. EVs will always require periodic charging.

A hybrid vehicle has more than one means of propulsion, usually an electric motor with a petrol or diesel engine. Hybrids can be plug-in, allowing them to be charged and to run purely on battery power until the batteries discharge, or they can be restricted to regenerative charging (electrical charge returned to the vehicle’s battery pack when the vehicle brakes or slows).

You should ensure that any EV charging equipment has been properly specified, designed, installed and maintained to allow its safe use by employees. As part of this, you should provide training to all those who will operate EVs or PHEVs, and this includes the safe use of charging equipment. Employees should make sure before they embark on a journey, particularly a long journey, that they understand the range of the vehicle and how and where the vehicle can be recharged.

You should also make sure that in the event of a break-down, puncture or work involving changing the tyres, those jacking up the vehicle know exactly how to do so in order to avoid damaging the battery pack and starting a fire.

Maximising electric driving efficiency

Drivers may need to change their driving habits or style when driving these types of vehicles. In particular:

  • Accelerate smoothly: this uses less energy than sudden and abrupt acceleration.
  • Monitor speed: internal combustion engines have an optimal speed for efficiency that is generally around 50 mph. However, this can be substantially lower for EVs and PHEVs (in electric mode), which will use more power the faster and harder they are driven.
  • Maximise regenerative braking: taking your foot off the accelerator pedal will trigger the EV regenerative braking system, extending the vehicle’s range. Note that regenerative braking is not the same as applying the brake pedal. For regenerative braking to be efficient, the driver will need to anticipate changing road conditions early enough to avoid or minimise use of the brake pedal.
  • Plans journeys: routes should be planned to minimise power requirements, so a straight-line journey that the vehicle completes at lower speed should be considered.
  • Ensure appropriate tyre pressure: as with all wheeled vehicles, ensuring tyre pressures are optimal will reduce unnecessary rolling resistance and avoid loss of efficiency and range.

For more information about this article or any other aspect of your business’ health & safety compliance, download our App for Apple or Android, and contact your health & safety team at AfterAthena today. For new enquiries, book your free consultation with a qualified expert to get started.