Volvo hands over a unit of the XC40 Recharge to the New York firefighters for training

The arrival of electric cars represents a major revolution in terms of polluting emissions, but it also poses many problems for emergency services. These services are used to working on conventional cars to rescue their occupants in the event of an accident. However, electric cars pose problems due to the wiring, the presence of batteries and other factors that can pose a considerable risk to those handling them.

That is why it is important that members of emergency teams know how to handle these cars and be able to manipulate their components without risk. To do this, they need to understand how an electric car is built and carry out training with one in order to act efficiently. So the New York firefighters have received a unit of the Volvo XC40 Recharge to practise with.

An electric car for rescue training

With the help of this electric vehicle, members of the New York fire services will be able to learn how these vehicles work, the points where they can cut to free trapped passengers and learn the safety measures implemented in the battery and motors.

It is important because they are working on a vehicle that has a battery with electrical charge and can cause serious injury to the personnel handling it. Thanks to the transfer of the Volvo CX40, they will be able to study the model thoroughly and learn all the characteristics of the car.

The Volvo XC40 Recharge features safety systems to protect occupants, but also those who have to rescue them. The batteries have armour plating and each module is sealed and independently cooled to offer maximum safety. The cables are very bright colours so they can be identified easily, and there is a master switch that can cut off the high-voltage current to avoid risks.

Training for greater safety

Firefighters have carried out other tests before, but the need to understand how electric vehicles work means they must continue training for this type of rescue. The United States aims to have a fleet of between 30 and 50% electric cars by 2030, so they must be prepared to know how to free occupants, tackle fires and know how to act in an accident involving one of these vehicles.

In every country there are specific programmes for this training, and emergency service personnel receive continuous training and adapt to new electrified means of transport.

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverVolvo XC4011 versions · from 42,800 €