Electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles pose some unique hazards to emergency services personnel attending the scene of a crash or fire.
Owners of electric and hybrid vehicles are now required to attach EV labels, while all hydrogen vehicle owners need to attach H labels to their vehicle number plates, as a safety benefit to those emergency workers.
As first responders to many of these incidents, we asked the Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA how the labels influence their response to emergencies.
“As firefighters, we make rapid decisions with limited information and these tags give us a crucial head start, helping us to protect our crews and the community,” Perth Fire Station Officer Brian Hosking said.
“When my crew and I arrive at a scene, these labels allow us to instantly identify high voltage batteries or pressurised hydrogen systems.
“This is vital at a road crash rescue where we may need to cut into a vehicle or when smoke and damage may make the car unrecognisable.”
All EV, hybrid and hydrogen vehicles manufactured after 1 January 2019 are now required to display metal safety labels on their number plates. Failure to comply will result in penalties from 1 January 2027.
“A triangle signifies an EV and a pentagon signifies hydrogen, providing a permanent visual cue for our crews,” Mr Hosking said.
“The labels are fixed to a metal backing, designed to survive extreme heat, even if the print is damaged, a distinct shape remains which ensures the right resources are dispatched to the scene immediately.”
