EVs and charging stations safe during floods – TNB

As more electric vehicles (EVs) hit the roads, public concern has emerged over the safety of these and of charging stations during floods. Responding to this, Tenaga Nasional (TNB) said that EVs and public charging stations have multiple safety systems, making them safe during floods.

In a written response to Bernama, which had posed questions relating to the matter, the electric utility company said that automatic power cut-off mechanisms, high voltage cable insulation and tightly sealed battery structures ensure that EVs remain safe during floods, with the risk of electric shock being almost zero.

Meanwhile, modern public charging stations are built with water-resistant designs, automatic cut-off systems and moisture sensors. These devices will automatically stop operating when irregularities occur, including when submerged by floodwaters. Charging stations are equipped with sufficient electrical protection, including auto-trip mechanisms, in the event of unsafe conditions to minimise risks to the public, it said.

Most charging stations are also fitted with flood detectors to detect rising water levels early. According to TNB, the risk to the electricity grid is very low as charging stations have multiple layers of protection like fuses, miniature circuit breakers (MCBs) and residual current devices (RCDs).

Smart systems such as an Advanced Distribution Management System allow for real-time monitoring, and TNB said it has mapped flood-affected areas in real time through its Flood Analysis and Risk Assessment System, which provides it with early data on installations that are at risk.

Additionally, site conditions are monitored through CCTV by site partners to ensure accurate flood information, and charging station operators have a specific emergency response plan for floods, coordinated with TNB’s safety procedures. This ensures that charging operations can be shut down and safety action can be taken quickly.

In any case, TNB advised EV users to stop charging immediately and move vehicles to higher ground if flooding occurs, and should that not be possible, to not touch submerged charging equipment or attempt to move a submerged EV. It added that users should also avoid charging vehicles during heavy rain or when the surrounding area is affected by flooding.

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