New Emergency Response Guide Resource from NHTSA

Big news for those of us working on the frontlines with electric and hybrid vehicles — the team at NHTSA has launched a standardized, centralized resource for Emergency Response Guides and Rescue Sheets for electric-powered vehicles.

This is a major step forward. Having a single destination for emergency response and rescue information will have an immediate, positive impact — especially for professional auto recyclers and first responders. It means safer yards, quicker access to critical info, and greater confidence when handling high-voltage vehicles.

Standardization of this kind is long overdue. Thanks to this initiative, we can:

• Improve worker safety when dismantling EVs and dealing with crash-damaged vehicles
• Safely remove and recycle EV batteries — helping recover critical minerals and supporting the circular economy
• Ensure quick, accurate info is available for first responders during emergency situations

What’s Included?
Manufacturers now submit detailed Emergency Response Guides and Rescue Sheets to NHTSA for battery-electric, hybrid-electric, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell vehicles — including passenger cars, trucks, and buses.

• Emergency Response Guides give in-depth, vehicle-specific information about fire risk, fluid leakage, submersion, towing, and storage.
• Rescue Sheets are quick-reference versions used by first responders at the scene of an accident — ideal for rapid response and safety.

You can search by vehicle make and model to find the right information for any vehicle you’re handling.

Explore the NHTSA EV Emergency Response Guide Resource here:

🔗 https://www.nhtsa.gov/emergency-response-guides/

Let’s use this to make our work even safer and smarter. If you have any questions about how to incorporate this into your operations, don’t hesitate to reach out.

— Sandy