no for the safety reason for EMTs.

 

I didn't de-badge mine, for a couple of reasons. First, I don't think de-badging adds anything to the appearance. Second, I'm not embarrased at my choice of vehicle. The only times I've ever been aware of anyone noticing that I have a hybrid, it's always (and I mean ALWAYS) been in a positive way.

On the other side of the argument, I've read several comments from various folks that de-badging is a safety issue for first responders. I was curious about that, so I asked some folks from a local fire department. The response was that they are not concerned one bit, as their training includes many other ways to identify a hybrid vehicle quickly and easily - the bright orange cables on the high-voltage lines being the least of these. Not to say that other departments may not have differing opinions, but that's what I was told.

 

I'm not ashamed. Besides, the florescent green color gives me away.

 

I removed the trunk badge as it was just poorly placed by Toyota. The other two (front quarter panels) are there. They look really nice and sleek. The EMT bit has been discussed to death on this forum over the past few years and we have heard both sides, including an EMT who proclaimed the badges did help but were not required.

Personally, I do not feel the removal of a hybrid badge puts an EMT in harm's way. Why? Because there are at least two other characteristics which give the hybrid away (quarter panel badges and tail lights) and the HV wires are located in a area where one would not be using heavy equipment (such as jaws of life) to cut open the car. Lastly, if this was TRULY a risk to EMTs, there would be a law and the law would probably require some other more permanent identification method -- such as completely unique styling.

 

...assuming, of course, that ONLY trained EMTs will arrive to aid.
What about the good samaritans and untrained emergency responders?

 

[quote=haroldo;186796What about the good samaritans and untrained emergency responders?[/quote]


This site has scared the good samaritans and untrained responders so badly, they probably wont get within 1000ft if they see your hybrid badges!

 

I doubt the "good samaritan" or untrained EMT would know enough to avoid anything even if the badge was there. Plus, what are they going to do? Crawl around the battery and lick the wires?

There are safety features that kill the power in the event of an accident. Of course, they could fail. But then again, the gas tank could explode as well.

If one wants to keep the badge, keep it for whatever reason. If one wants to remove the badge, remove it for whatever reason.

The day there is a law that says I must keep the badge, I will keep the badge.

 

lol

 

[In heavily accented "outlaw" voice] Badges? We don' need no stinkin' badges!

(But I still have mine on anyway).

 

lol