[Clay Moore]

"Unlike current cars these cars have lethal battery voltages. Most manufactures plan to go to 36/42 volts in the near future, but the Civic uses 144 volts and the Prius 274 volts. Careless poking around in the wiring is likely to light up some do-it-your selfers! Even of more concern would be the exposed voltage due to a car wreck. Rescuers better be very careful where they use the jaws-of-life!"

The Toyota has three cables underneath, open, in a track that run from the back to front. There are no fuses/breakers inline. I forget what the potential amperage available, but it is high. Looks to me like a foreign object off of the road or misplaced jack could prove to be interesting. They told us to open the trunk and pull the master disconnect before doing any forcible entry.

[John Jamieson]

I think its about 150 amps max in normal operation but could hit a 1000 if dead shorted. I remember several nicad battery fires from my days at the space center. Not a pretty sight.