Collision, Damage or Fire

Guide for Ford Motor Company Hybrid and Electric Vehicles Equipped with High-Voltage Batteries (Owner/User/General Public) Considerations for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles In the event of damage or fire involving an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV):

• Always assume that the high-voltage battery and associated components are energized and fully charged.
• Exposed electrical components, cables and high-voltage batteries present a potential high-voltage shock hazard.
• Vapors released from high-voltage batteries are potentially toxic and flammable.
• Any physical damage to the vehicle or the high-voltage battery may cause the immediate or delayed release of toxic and flammable gases and substances.

Vehicle Information and General Safety Measures

• You must know the make and model of your vehicle.
• Read the owner's manual and familiarize yourself with the safety information and recommended safety precautions for your vehicle.
• Do not attempt to repair a damaged hybrid or electric vehicle yourself. For service, contact an authorized Ford dealer or a manufacturer representative.

In the Event of a Collision

A collision or impact severe enough to require emergency response on a conventional vehicle requires the same response for a hybrid electric vehicle or an electric vehicle.

If possible

• Move the vehicle to a safe place nearby and stay at the scene.
• Lower the windows before locking the vehicle.
• Place the vehicle in Park (P), apply the parking brake, switch off the ignition, activate the hazard warning lights and keep the key or keys at least 5 m away from the vehicle.

In all cases

• If necessary, call the emergency services and state that a hybrid electric or electric vehicle is involved.
• Do not touch exposed electrical components or the engine compartment to avoid any risk of electric shock.
• Avoid contact with any leaking fluid or gas emissions, and keep away from traffic until the emergency services arrive.
• When the emergency services arrive, state that the vehicle involved is a hybrid electric or electric vehicle.

Fires

As with any vehicle, call the emergency services immediately if you see sparks, smoke or flames coming from the vehicle.

• Get out of the vehicle immediately.
• Tell the emergency services that a hybrid electric or electric vehicle is involved.
• As with any vehicle fire, do not breathe the smoke, vapours or gases escaping from the vehicle, to avoid any risk.
• Keep a safe distance from the vehicle and try to move away from the smoke.
• Move away from the road and keep away from traffic until the emergency services arrive.

After an incident

• Do not store a severely damaged vehicle with a lithium-ion battery inside a building, or within 15 m of a building or another vehicle.
• Make sure the vehicle cabin and luggage compartment are ventilated. For example, open a window, a door or the boot.
• Inform your local Ford Customer Contact Centre (see the service booklet) and an authorised Ford dealer as soon as possible. Further measures may be required to secure and discharge the high-voltage battery.
• Call the emergency services if you see a fluid leak, sparks, smoke or flames, or if you hear a gurgling or bubbling noise coming from the high-voltage battery.