Electric cars and hybrids use similar types of batteries to store the electrical power before it needs to be used to power the vehicle. Though electric cars do not have to rely upon as many moving parts as combustion vehicles, their batteries can pose a hazard.
Types
Most electric vehicles use either a nickel metal hydride or lithium ion battery. These types can be recharged hundreds of times before they have to be replaced. Most rechargeable batteries are guaranteed to last the life of the vehicle. According to the website Edmunds, Toyota's batteries have lasted for more than 180,000 miles in their tests. In the rare case a battery does fail, all components are under warranty.
Disposal
Rechargeable batteries contain heavy metals such as nickel that can cause neurological or kidney damage with enough exposure. However, they are a preferable alternative to lead-acid batteries present in combustion cars, which are one of the most harmful consumer products on the market. Rechargeable batteries should be taken to a recycling facility at the end of their lives. Many car manufacturers will take batteries back. Toyota puts a phone number on each battery that you can call.
Heat Discharge
Lithium ion batteries are lighter and store more electricity than nickel metal hydride, but in laptops and small power tools they discharge heat and are a potential fire danger. In landfills they have even been known to explode from hot temperatures. However, Jeff Boyd, CEO of Miles Automotive Group, guarantees that its lithium ion batteries do not generate heat because of a change in chemical composition. If your electric vehicle comes with a lithium ion battery.
Handling
With an electric vehicle, avoid leaving connections open and exposed so that they do not come into contact with people or tools. According to the website EV Convert, use a short wrench when working with EV batteries, or a tool that can't accidentally bridge from one terminal to the next, and possibly insulate the handle.
Fail Safe
The circuits in electric vehicles should be designed to disconnect the high voltage line from the battery component in case a failure or some kind of problem occurs. A heavy-duty relay connected to the ignition key can disconnect the voltage line when the key is off, and another relay attached to the accelerator pot in the engine compartment can also disconnect the voltage when you let go of the gas pedal.
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