Electric vehicles are taking over the world’s roads. So why shouldn’t electric vehicles also be deployed as emergency vehicles in emergencies? While the many advantages of electric vehicles are now proven, there is growing concern that such vehicles may not be well-suited to double as emergency response vehicles during natural disasters, as they could run out of battery and form roadblocks on tarmac while Not seeking to provide fast and safe passage.
The debate over whether electric vehicles should be used as official rescue vehicles has sparked furor in Florida, with state Sen. Jonathan Martin expressing his reservations. He is believed to have told the Florida Department of Transportation that if electric vehicles run out of power, these could end up blocking traffic during hurricane evacuations. He also pointed to the supporting infrastructure for electric vehicles, stressing that it is not enough yet.
Martin reportedly highlighted the complexities of deploying electric vehicles as emergency vehicles during hurricane evacuations. “There are a few people behind you and you can’t get out of the car and push it to the side of the road. Traffic backs up. Once you’re on the road, what seems like a two-hour trip can turn into an eight-hour trip,” he said, according to the Florida News Agency. “I The concern is the number of electric vehicles that the state currently has no infrastructure available for evacuation along the evacuation route in Florida’s emergency.
However, proponents of electric vehicles argue that technological innovations such as portable electric vehicle chargers can minimize range-related concerns, which may also help rescue vehicles without worrying about running out of power at critical moments. Plus, many said charging an electric car before a storm is akin to filling up a tank of gas in a non-electric car.
First published date: March 7, 2023 at 13:25pm CST
https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/electric-vehicles/should-evs-be-banned-as-rescue-vehicles-during-natural-disasters-41678174003190.html