Despite Myths, Experts Say Hybrid and Electric Cars Are Safe

Toxic dust from airbags, exploding batteries and high-voltage electrocutions are among some of the popular myths surrounding new-generation vehicles, especially hybrid and electric cars.

But those stories just aren’t true, says Matthew Stroud, hybrid expert and president of MGS Tech Corp.

"It has caused pause and hesitation during an accident scene due to the fact that a firefighter may think that a vehicle, since it is a hybrid and it has high voltage . . . that they could be electrocuted and die," Stroud said. "It comes to mind. But hybrid vehicles are here to stay. These vehicles are absolutely, extremely safe. They're built by extremely smart engineers."

Stroud met Wednesday with emergency responders from throughout the Puget Sound to dispel some of the myths surrounding the new vehicles and to teach emergency teams how to more effectively respond to accidents involving high-tech cars and new-generation airbags.

Shoreline Fire Captain Keith Kreiger said one of the big challenges for emergency workers has been how to rescue victims from cars with airbags, which in some models can discharge unexpectedly due to heat after an accident has already occurred.

“Airbags have always been a concern,” Kreiger said. “I own two hybrids, so I’m pretty comfortable with them, but a lot of people don’t have that kind of exposure.”

While hybrids are for the most part just as safe or safer than older vehicles, emergency workers have to follow certain procedures when responding to accidents, such as disconnecting batteries to disable airbag systems.

Responders spent an entire day learning the ins and outs of the new vehicles, including in-depth technical mechanics of electrical systems and a demonstration in which Stroud set up airbags to deploy in the parking lot to show responders how much force and heat the airbags release during a crash.

Mike Rimkus, a firefighter for Mason County Fire District 13, said he has not yet had to respond to many accidents involving hybrid or electric cars.

“I’ve seen a lot, but not too many smashed up,” Rimkus said. “As the numbers of used ones go up and teens and old people buy them, we will probably see more wrecks.”

Stroud predicts that within the next decade, hybrids and electric vehicle sales will outpace gasoline-only models as technology advances and people’s preferences shift.

"Pretty much every single vehicle being produced will be produced in a hybrid model," Stroud said. "More people will buy the hybrid models because they will start to see the benefits, and people will sway away from the gasoline cars, so they will make less. Why would anyone want to get a car that goes slower, gets worse fuel economy, poorer emissions, and requires more maintenance?"

Stroud founded MGS Tech in 2006 to educate first responders about new vehicles when he realized how many myths about hybrid cars were circulating among firefighters and emergency workers. Before MGS, Stroud worked as a Master Diagnostic Technician for Toyota for 22 years.

He has co-authored a Hybrid Response Guide aimed at first responders, which can be found on the MGS Tech Web site. 

Stroud will teach a second class at Shoreline Community College Saturday, Feb. 12.

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