How to disable an electric vehicle in two seconds (for first responders)

[berkeman]

This is very cool, IMO. Responding to electric vehicle accidents can be especially challenging and dangerous since their drivetrains are silent. They can be still in drive mode even though they are not moving, and can start moving with no warning. This new device immobilizes the vehicle when plugged into the charging port, since it sends electronic signals to the vehicle computer to make it think that it is plugged into a charging station. Electric vehicles disable their drivetrains when plugged into a charging station, but keep other accessories enabled like window motors and emergency flashing lights.

Electric vehicles (EV) are becoming increasingly common in our communities. First responders often respond to incidents where EVs still might be powered on or engaged in drive.

With the silent operation of EVs, fire service personnel are at a larger disadvantage when determining whether a vehicle truly is disabled or still capable of moving.

The Midtronics xIM-100 EV Immobilizer addresses this critical issue with a simple, universal solution that’s designed to improve firefighter safety around battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).

The xIM-100 EV Immobilizer connects through the vehicle’s charge port with no direct contact with the high-voltage system. With integrated Type 1/J1772 (non-Tesla) and NACS (Tesla) connectors, there are no adapters to carry or lose: A single tool is ready to deploy at a moment’s notice for a wide range of BEVs and PHEVs.

https://www.firehouse.com/rescue/ve...le/55382709/midtronics-xim-100-ev-immobilizer

 

[sbrothy]

I was also about to point out the increasing level of electronics in modern cars. In the old days you could probably just rip the battery, power distributor or carbuerator out. Now though...?

 

[sbrothy]

This is very cool, IMO. Responding to electric vehicle accidents can be especially challenging and dangerous since their drivetrains are silent. They can be still in drive mode even though they are not moving, and can start moving with no warning. This new device immobilizes the vehicle when plugged into the charging port, since it sends electronic signals to the vehicle computer to make it think that it is plugged into a charging station. Electric vehicles disable their drivetrains when plugged into a charging station, but keep other accessories enabled like window motors and emergency flashing lights.

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https://www.firehouse.com/rescue/ve...le/55382709/midtronics-xim-100-ev-immobilizer

Yeah, there should be a law that they should make a noise. After all, hair dryers could easily be silent but they make artificial noise because they're dangerous to forget when they're plugged in.