FCS-12141-14
August, 2014 Ver.2
4
Damaged Vehicle Guidance for Ford Motor
Company Electric and Hybrid-Electric Vehicles
Equipped with High Voltage Batteries
(Towing and Recovery Operators and Vehicle
Storage Facilities)
For questions contact Ford USA 1-800-392-3673 /
Ford Canada 1-800-565-3673
In the event of damage or fire involving an
Electric Vehicle (EV) or Hybrid-Electric Vehicle
(HEV):
•
Always assume the high voltage (HV) battery and
associated components are energized and fully
charged.
•
Exposed electrical components, wires and HV
batteries present potential HV shock hazards.
•
Venting/off-gassing HV battery vapors are potentially
toxic and flammable.
•
Physical damage to the vehicle or HV battery may
result in immediate or delayed release of toxic and/
or flammable gases and fire.
Vehicle Shutdown and High Voltage System
Disabling
Identify Vehicle
•
Determine if the vehicle is an electric or hybrid-
electric vehicle, and if it is, advise your dispatch and
all other responders that an electric or hybrid-
electric vehicle is involved.
•
To identify potential symptoms of a damaged high
voltage system, contact an authorized service
center or vehicle manufacturer representative. Refer
to the Vehicle Owner Manual, Emergency Placard
(included in the Vehicle Owner Manual) and/or the
Emergency Response Guide for appropriate contact
information.
•
If you detect leaking fluids, sparks, smoke, flames,
increased temperature, gurgling, popping or hissing
noises from the HV battery compartment, ventilate
the passenger area (i.e., roll down windows or open
doors) and call 911.
•
Be alert. There is a potential for delayed fire with
damaged lithium-ion batteries.
Recovering/Transporting Vehicle
•
Call an authorized service center or vehicle
manufacturer representative, if necessary, to
determine additional steps that you should take to
safely recover or transport the vehicle.
•
Always approach the vehicle from the sides to
stay out of potential travel path. It may be
difficult to determine if the vehicle is running due to
lack of engine noise.
•
Place vehicle into Park, set the parking brake, turn
off the vehicle, activate hazard lights, and remove
keys to a distance at least 16 feet from the vehicle
until loading the vehicle for transport.
•
Refer to vehicle manual/recovery guide to locate
proper attachment/connection points and transport
method.
•
Avoid contact with orange high voltage cabling and
areas identified as high voltage risk by warning
labels.
Storing Vehicle
•
For vehicles in the United States, notify Ford
Motor Company 1-800-392-3673 (then follow the
prompts on the voice response menu) or
an
authorized Ford Dealer
as soon as possible as
there may be additional steps necessary to
secure, discharge, handle, and/or store the HV
battery and vehicle.
•
For vehicles in Canada, notify Ford Motor
Company 1-800-565-3673 (then follow the
prompts on the voice response menu), or an
authorized Ford dealer as soon as possible as
there may be additional steps necessary to
secure, discharge, handle, and/or store the HV
battery and vehicle.
•
Do not store a severely damaged vehicle with a
lithium-ion battery inside a structure or within 50
feet of any structure or vehicle.
•
Ensure that passenger and cargo compartments
remain ventilated.
•
Prior to placing and while located in storage area/
tow lot, continue to inspect vehicle for leaking
fluids, sparks, smoke, flames, gurgling or bubbling
sounds from the HV battery and call 911 if any of
these are detected.
•
Maintain clear access to stored vehicles for
monitoring and emergency response if needed.
For specific information and safety preparation
regarding the high voltage system, refer to
WWW.MOTORCRAFTSERVICE.COM,
select quick
guides for the appropriate vehicle emergency
response guide.
NOTICE:
Never attempt to tow the vehicle with its
drive wheels on the ground.
