Volvo Donates XC40 Recharge To The NYC Fire Department To Better Understand EVs

In the interests of furthering post-accident safety for BEVs, Volvo has donated one of their fully-electric XC40 Recharge SUVs to the New York City Fire Department.

The donation will help the FDNY update its protocols, both during training and when faced with real-life applications surrounding the safe extraction of passengers that may have been involved in a BEV crash.

It will also contribute to keeping first responders safe by helping firefighters understand the unique risks and possible outcomes associated with electric vehicles.

With the Biden administration wanting EVs to account for between 40–50 percent of new car sales by 2030, the need for emergency service teams to become better acquainted with battery electric vehicle safety protocols is greater than ever.

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It goes without saying that the FDNY has decades of experience saving civilians from accidents involving ICE cars. However, the additional complexity of high-voltage wiring and large primary battery packs add a different dimension to safe extraction.

The design and nature of an electric vehicle can necessitate a different approach, especially when cutting into a car. Additionally, a car like the XC40 Recharge features ultra-high-strength steel, which requires further specialized extrication procedures.

With the donation from the safety-first Swedish automaker, the FDNY will be able to better train, teach, and carry out their duties when it comes to EV accidents. The XC40 itself features a number of safety features that are in place to keep first responders safe. These include a dedicated battery safety cage and independently sealed and cooled battery modules to prevent damage and leaks, brightly colored high voltage wiring to prevent unintentional contact, and an easily accessible deactivation switch to shut down all high-voltage power.

“With the number of electric vehicles on the road growing each day, it’s critical that FDNY members have the ability to train on extrications, fires, and other potential incidents involving them,” said Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro. “Thanks to the FDNY Foundation’s support and this generous donation from Volvo Cars, our members will be even better trained and more prepared to respond to these incidents and continue to bravely protect New Yorkers.”