Electric vehicles: mitigating riskBRE AiS workshop25 June 2012

Carolyn WhiteDirectorIET Standards Limited

Overview

• What are the risks from electric vehicles?• How can EV risk be minimised?

• IET Code of Practice recommendations• BRE accreditation and certification scheme• Gateshead electrical installer training

• Communicating EV electrical safety to the public• Warranties offered at point of sale and installation• Renewal of car and building insurance policies

WHAT ARE THE RISKS FROM ELECTRIC VEHICLES?

Key risk areas1. Home insurance

• Charging using a 13A plug could overload plug and cable leading to electrical fire• Wrongly-installed EV charging equipment could cause electrical fires

2. Personal injury• Fault in electrical supply to building could make car live whilst on charge• Death or injury caused by ignoring advice on use of adapters and extension leads• Potential risk to pedestrians due to low car noise• Trip hazards to car users and other pedestrians from charging leads

Key risk areas 3. Accident and breakdown

• Additional risks to emergency services of car remaining live after impact• Recovery claims arising from not being able to recharge when away from home

4. Car insurance• Premiums usually based on driver age, location of car and proposed use• EV insurance could include proposed charging locations and type of connector• EVs demand specific driving style to conserve battery life – premiums could

recognise this as it usually means safer driving• Type of battery – there are known risks of Lithium-ion batteries exploding

Example: EV fire on a ferry

This accident was caused through using an extension lead to charge an EV on the wet deck of a car ferry in Oslo. Note that battery fires cannot be extinguished – they have to be left to burn out by themselves.

Some stats§ Electric vehicles will account for up to

15% of car sales by 2020§ UK and France consensus = 14%

§ Source Arup March 2012

§ UK predicted to have 390,000 charging points by 2017

§ Source Fleet News February 2012

§ Government wants majority of recharging to take place either at home or at place of work

HOW CAN EV RISK BE MINIMISED?

IET Code of Practice

Who is the Code of Practice aimed at?• Installers – competent electricians

• Part P registration may not be sufficient• Procurers – specifying EV installation work• Design engineers – manufacturing EV charging

equipment and vehicles• Electricity supply companies

Code of Practice committee

Endorsed by government and industry• Provides definitive guidance on safe electrical best practice• Enables confident procurement and compliance for insurers

Transport Minister Norman Baker: “This is an excellent example of industry and Government working together to develop safe and practical solutions for plug-in vehicle recharging. This Code of Practice represents a real step forward in easing the path for consumers to make the switch to ultra-low emission vehicles.”

Paul Everitt SMMT Chief Executive: “Electric vehicles can offer a practical and affordable ultra-low carbon driving option for many motorists and this new Code of Practice will ensure vehicle charging remains hassle-free and safe across the UK.”

Enables compliance with Wiring Regulations• IET Wiring Regulations BS 7671:2008(2011) does not specifically

cover installing EV charging equipment

• IET Code of Practice is fully compliant with Wiring Regulations and IET Technical Regulations team approved text

• References all relevant European andinternational standards

Checklists and assessment forms

Accreditation and certification scheme

• Industry accreditation scheme in partnership with BRE Global

• Received favourably by manufacturers 14 May• Installers can be certified to one

manufacturer’s equipment or to several• Scheme will generate central database of

certified installers

Outline of BRE scheme

Electrical training• EV installer training courses based on Code of Practice

piloted May & June at Gateshead College• Courses cover practical and theoretical electrical

knowledge including use of risk assessment forms• Detailed guidance provided on pre- and post-installation

paperwork• Different modules for residential, public and commercial

installation work• To be supported by City & Guilds exam

1. IET Code of Practice§ Provides technical basis for scheme

2. Application criteria§ Sets expectations

3. Training course and exam§ Provides technical background§ Requirements of schemes§ Terms and conditions for granting and

maintenance of certification4. Assessment

§ Confirms competence5. Surveillance

§ Ongoing compliance§ Up to date CPD

Summary CoP/scheme/training

COMMUNICATING EV ELECTRICAL SAFETY TO THE PUBLIC

Customers need

• Clear advice from car retailers on what to do: • simple ‘glove box’ advice on charging best practice should be

provided with every car

• On-site assessment from certified installer: • all customer installations are different and assessment needs to

be part of sales package

• Easy to understand warranties from installers and suppliers covering breakdown, repair and maintenance of charging equipment

• Clear requirements to cover EVs in standard consumer and commercial insurance policies

carolynwhite@ietstandards.com01438 767654