Electric & Alternative-Fuel Trucks
More trucks now run on batteries, hydrogen or natural gas. Driving them feels familiar, but their energy storage brings new hazards for drivers, mechanics and first responders. Know the type of truck you have.
- Drivers
- Mechanics
- First Responders
Types
- Battery-electric (BEV): high-voltage battery packs, often 400 to 800 volts or more, with orange cables.
- Hydrogen fuel cell: stores compressed hydrogen and uses a fuel cell and battery to make electricity.
- Natural gas (CNG or LNG): burns compressed or liquefied natural gas in an engine.
- Hybrids and propane or biofuel trucks. See Propane.
Driver tips
- Get training on the truck: dash warnings, regenerative braking, charge range and cold-weather effects.
- Plan routes for charging or fueling; do not run out of energy on the highway.
- Use only approved charging equipment, and inspect cables and plugs before use. Keep the area dry and clear. See EV Chargers.
- Do not charge with damaged cords or in standing water.
- Electric trucks are quiet; pedestrians and cyclists may not hear them. Use extra caution at low speeds and in yards. See Truck Blind Spots.
- If a warning light shows a battery or isolation fault, stop safely and call for help.
Hazards for techs
- High voltage: only trained and qualified workers should touch orange cables and components. Follow the maker's service procedure to shut down the high-voltage system, lock it out and verify it is dead. See Absence of Voltage Testing.
- Thermal runaway: damaged batteries can overheat and catch fire, sometimes hours or days after a crash. See Battery Safety.
- Hydrogen: invisible flame and fast leak; use leak detectors. See Hydrogen.
- Natural gas: leaks, fire and, for LNG, extreme cold burns. Use proper PPE.
After a crash
- Get out and away from the truck; tell 911 it is an electric or alternative-fuel vehicle. See Truck Crash Response.
- Do not touch orange cables or open the battery area.
- Wait for responders who know how to disable the system. Battery fires may need large amounts of water and long monitoring.
Standards & references
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