Establishment of regulations for hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles using
high voltage
1. Background
Recently, the penetration of hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles continues to
grow in Japan. Since high-voltage batteries are installed in those vehicles, it is important
to protect drivers and passengers (hereinafter referred to as “persons”) in those vehicles
against an electric shock derived from contacts of parts under voltage, especially when
the vehicles come into collisions.
In this context, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) will establish a
regulation for those vehicles, from the viewpoint of protecting persons against an
electric shock in normal use and in case of a collision, by partially amending Safety
Regulations for Road Vehicles (Ministry of Transport Ordinance No.67 of 1951), etc.
2. Summary of the Regulation
2.1 Scope
The regulation will apply to vehicles powered exclusively or partially by electric motors,
excluding motor cycles with or without sidecar, three-wheeled motor vehicles,
mini-sized motor vehicles with caterpillar tracks and sleds, large-sized special motor
vehicles, small-sized special motor vehicles, trailers and fuel cell vehicles.
2.2 Requirements
2.2.1 Technical Requirements on Protection of Persons against Contacts of Parts under
High Voltage in Normal Use of the Vehicles
The technical requirements are based on those on protection of persons against contacts
of parts under voltage applying to fuel cell vehicles. The regulation provides the
requirements on:
.1 protection against an electric shock derived from the drive train under voltage;
.2 protection against an electric shock derived from the parts used to connect the
vehicle to an external electric power supply;
.3 protection against current surge of the traction batteries ;
.4 ventilation of battery compartments containing traction batteries which may
produce Hydrogen gases; and
.5 indication which may given when the vehicle is in active driving possible mode.
2.2.2 Technical Requirements on Protection of Persons against Contacts of Parts under
High Voltage in Case of a Collision
The requirements take account of impacts by frontal collision, back collision, offset
frontal collision and side collision. The regulation provides the requirements on:
.1 protection against an electric shock derived from the drive train under voltage;
.2 leakage of electrolyte from traction batteries; and
.3 fixation of traction batteries.
For those vehicles, including trucks and buses, which are not subject to the
above-mentioned collision tests, the regulation provides the requirements on:
.4 location of the installation of traction batteries and electrical circuit; and
.5 strength of the section on which traction batteries are installed.
2.3
Lead time
This regulation will be applied to the vehicles manufactured on or after July 1, 2012.
3. Schedule
This regulation is scheduled to be promulgated by the end of October 2007.