No Need to Worry About Buying an Electric Car, Here Are Its Technologies!

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The popularity of electric cars is increasing worldwide, including in Indonesia. Despite this, many people still question the safety of electric vehicles. In fact, electric cars have a level of safety comparable to conventional combustion-engine vehicles. For instance, electric cars sold in Indonesia must undergo a homologation process in accordance with electromagnetic compatibility (EMI/EMC) standards, including UNECE R10 (European standard) and AIS-004 (mandatory standard in India). These standards require the vehicle and all its electrical and electronic systems—such as the PCU/VCU/ECU, BMS, motor, and CAN communication system—to be immune to external electromagnetic interference, keep electromagnetic emissions within permitted limits, and function normally under real operational conditions. Moreover, in crash tests, electric cars often achieve high ratings for frontal collision protection, side-impact resistance, child passenger safety, and pedestrian protection. Manufacturers also equip these vehicles with battery management systems that monitor performance and temperature to prevent overheating and potential fires. Automotive expert and academic from ITB, Yannes Pasaribu, explained that electric cars have multiple layers of safety, from the battery to the braking system. ‘The Battery Management System (BMS) complies with ISO 6469-1 (electrical safety) and monitors each battery cell in real-time. The high-voltage contactor is ready to disconnect the circuit in the event of an anomaly, and the braking system remains functional even if the powertrain shuts down. The high-voltage contactor disconnects the circuit during a collision per ISO 6469-3 (passenger protection). The braking system has hydraulic redundancy according to UN R13-H, remaining operational without electrical power. The EPS steering is equipped with a dual-circuit backup per ISO 26262 (functional safety ASIL-D),’ Yannes stated. He further detailed that the steering wheel in electric cars is equipped with a dual-circuit system meeting ISO 26262 standards. The battery’s durability is also beyond doubt, having been tested and proven safe even in adverse conditions. ‘All legally sold vehicles, whether Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) or Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), must pass electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) endurance tests according to ISO 11452 and CISPR 25 standards, which simulate exposure to fields much stronger than those found at railway crossings. There are still many more international regulations that must be met before a BEV can be marketed internationally,’ Yannes explained. He added that by meeting these homologation standards, vehicles certified and permitted to operate legally in markets like India and Indonesia are, in principle, declared safe from electromagnetic interference under normal environmental conditions. They should not experience sudden shutdowns solely due to common electromagnetic exposure, including at railway crossings. Yannes stressed that before driving an electric car, drivers must adapt and understand the vehicle’s intricacies so they can handle emergency incidents themselves. ‘An electric car is not simply a petrol car with the engine swapped for a battery. There is a fundamental change in how the vehicle operates, which directly affects driving behaviour and emergency response,’ he concluded. For general awareness, the most common fear is that an EV battery will explode. However, vehicles rarely fail without warning. The same applies to electric car batteries, where there are usually signals before a serious incident occurs. Recognising these early signs is crucial. Key indicators to watch for include: a sudden and unexplained drop in driving range that does not recover with normal driving patterns; unusual heat from the underside of the vehicle, especially when parked and not charging; strange chemical or burning smells, as toxic gas emissions can begin before smoke is visible; swelling or deformation around the battery casing area; and battery warnings on the dashboard that persist or reappear after being dismissed. If your electric car has been involved in an accident, even a minor one, have the battery inspected before driving or charging again as a preventive measure.