Electric vehicles (EV) are becoming increasingly common in our communities. First responders often respond to incidents where EVs still might be powered on or engaged in drive.

With the silent operation of EVs, fire service personnel are at a larger disadvantage when determining whether a vehicle truly is disabled or still capable of moving.

The Midtronics xIM-100 EV Immobilizer addresses this critical issue with a simple, universal solution that’s designed to improve firefighter safety around battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).

Universal EV mobility-status

The xIM-100 EV Immobilizer connects through the vehicle’s charge port with no direct contact with the high-voltage system. With integrated Type 1/J1772 (non-Tesla) and NACS (Tesla) connectors, there are no adapters to carry or lose: A single tool is ready to deploy at a moment’s notice for a wide range of BEVs and PHEVs.

The xIM-100 features 360-degree, ultra-bright LEDs that give firefighters a fast, clear read on the vehicle’s immobilization status from across the scene—green means immobilized, flashing red means take precautions—without disabling essential vehicle functions, such as windows, seats and lights.

The xIM-100 pairs an ergonomic, glove-friendly grip with a rugged build that’s made for the roadway and the fireground. It’s validated to MIL-STD-810H, surviving 26 drops from four feet (1.2 meters) onto concrete, and carries IP66 and IP67 ratings for dust and water protection, making it well suited for emergency rescue conditions.

Real-world testing

Often, emergency scenes become chaotic, with flashing lights, noisy environments and other distractions. While testing the xIM-100 in realistic settings, the ultra-bright LED indicators were easy to identify, with the solid green signifying the vehicle was immobilized and flashing red indicator for use of caution that the vehicle wasn’t immobilized. Even in direct sunlight with other lights around, the status lights remained easy to identify, providing immediate visual confirmation of the vehicle’s status, improving on-scene situational awareness.

The performance of the xIM-100 was equally impressive. During the testing, it was used in a stationary setting where the vehicle was immobilized in less than two seconds from the time the device was inserted. The device was inserted into the charging port while the vehicle was in a stationary state, and the driver tried to place the vehicle into drive and accelerate; the xIM-100 demonstrated its continuous capability to immobilize the vehicle.

Once the xIM-100 was extracted from the charging port on the vehicle, the vehicle demonstrated full functionality and capability without any effects to the vehicle. When discussing the specifications of the xIM-100 with Midtronics representatives, the common immobilization period was identified at less than two seconds. However, in rare cases with certain BEVs and PHEVs, the maximum immobilization period was 60 seconds. This rapid approach helps enhance firefighter safety when working around energized EVs.

Ease of maintenance

Equipment maintenance is always an important factor in the fire service. The xIM-100 is powered by commonly available, replaceable CR123A batteries; has a low-battery alert and a battery-level indicator light that can be tested daily; and features up to four hours of continuous run time for extended deployments. It has an integrated pry bar for accessing the charging port door when necessary and the capability to update software via a USB port.

The takeaway

The Midtronics xIM-100 EV Immobilizer is a well-designed, practical, rugged and easy-to-use piece of equipment that enhances safety while working around EVs. Whether you’re the responding rescue company providing patient care or stabilizing the scene for tow operators, the xIM-100 provides a practical, affordable solution at emergency scenes with EVs that’s simple to use.

Following testing, the Midtronics xIM-100 EV Immobilizer earns the Firehouse Product Review Seal of Approval.