Hi,
I know the Prius has redundant systems including an aggressive, ground-fault isolation circuit and dual-relays to 'safe' the battery in an accident.

NOTE: the NHW20 Prius has a 200 VDC battery pack and the 500VAC occurs only via a voltage doubler in the inverter and cables feeding the motor generators. The higher voltage provides more power at higher rpms.


Over in Prius_Technical_Stuff we had someone with a pace-maker who shared a similar concern. His testing found the levels were all but absent. But by all means, take the measurements and please share them with us.

Bob Wilson

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That is a good point. However, both Toyota and Honda have over engineered their vehicles to sustain a lot of damage all the while rendering the high voltage electric system almost harmless. In addition the the usual fail safe relays that Bob mentioned, the batteries are protected by an extra strong structure/shell that in all likelyhood is the strongest area in the whole vehicle.
The curious aspect of all of this is that the traditional gas tank in these hybrids is far more vulnerable to a serious accident than the battery system plus the high voltage lines. I just wish the gas tank was as well protected as the high voltage circuit.

You'll also notice that most (if not all) emergency first responders have been receiving training on how to deal with hybrid vehicles involved in collisions. The high voltage lines are all painted (or sleeved) in orange color and designed to be noticed. In my opinion, the hybrid industry has done an excellent job and their vehicles are widstanding the scrutiny. In the case on the HCH, it received the highest safety ratings from numerous agencies which is pretty impressive safety record for a compact car. As a mid size vehicle the Prius has also been crashed many times and also proven to be an extremely safe vehicle.

At least on my side of the woods, the government agencies have commissioned exhaustive testing of these hybrids before adding them to their fleets and IIRC they have found the vehicles to emit negligible amounts of EMF... so little that it was hardly a health concern giving the unions little grounds to complain.

Cheers;

MSantos

A discussion of EMF has taken place here at GH, and I think perhaps measurements were taken. I'm happy to restate my views on the issue if the occasion warrants, but for now I'll just go find a link to the old thread and post it here.

ETA:
Here it is- http://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/s...&highlight=emf

Short answer: If the EMF/radiation issue really does concern you, then I hope you never fly anywhere. Or have dental x-rays. Or go outdoors in the sun. All of those things expose you to sources of radiation that are MUCH stronger and more significant in the long term than riding in a car, with or without a hybrid battery.

Thank you again for your info

I’m glade to read about the safety systems built into hybrid vehicles.

I’m also reassured to see that negligible amounts

of EMF have been measured.

It really depends on how intend to use the car (freeway driving, on a jam-packed road, etc.)

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