Polytech shares EV safety tips with first responders

Firefighters gather around Otago Polytechnic senior automotive lecturer Kevin O’Neill as he explains health and safety procedures for electric vehicles.

The course, normally for tradespeople, was adapted to be more relevant for emergency first responders, in a course held at Dunedin City Station  on Thursday.

New Zealand has 4000 electric vehicles, but the Government has set a target of 64,000 by the end of 2021.

Mr O’Neill said the main difference when dealing with electric vehicles was ensuring the battery system was shut down; once that was done, they were very similar to a combustion engine.

"The main point today was to let them understand the knowledge that they have already still applies to these cars.

"They have a lot of safety built in by the manufacturers, and I would say if anything they are safer than non-electric cars."