Key facts
- A rescue sheet and an emergency response guide may contain different levels of detail.
- The vehicle's exact make, model, production period and drivetrain must match the document.
- First responders should use their training and approved procedures for damaged or submerged high-voltage vehicles.
Quick answer: For an electric vehicle, obtain the manufacturer’s model-specific rescue sheet or emergency response guide before an incident, but do not use it as a do-it-yourself battery-disconnection manual. Rescue personnel use these documents alongside training to locate hazards and plan safe access.
What the document shows
Rescue sheets often identify high-voltage components, energy storage, structural reinforcement, airbags and access points. An emergency response guide may go into greater procedural detail. Euro NCAP’s rescue and extrication information provides a starting point, with links and guidance for responders.
Five steps to find the right sheet
- Write down the vehicle’s full model designation and model year.
- Confirm the body style, generation and whether it is battery electric or plug-in hybrid.
- Look on the manufacturer’s official first-responder or rescue documentation page.
- Compare the document revision, pictures and production range with the vehicle.
- Save a reference for emergency responders, but verify that a newer revision has not replaced it.
Worked example: same badge, different battery generation
Imagine a brand sells the same nameplate in two generations, one with underfloor battery packaging and another with a differently located service disconnect. A sheet for the older generation may contain incorrect locations for the newer vehicle. This is a hypothetical comparison illustrating why matching by model name alone is unsafe.
What a driver should not do
Never attempt to cut orange high-voltage cables, open a traction battery, disconnect emergency isolation components or approach a damaged battery pack based on a web guide. After collision damage, smoke, heat, immersion or an electrical warning, move people to a safe place, follow local emergency instructions and tell responders that the vehicle is electric. Do not tow or store a damaged vehicle contrary to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Save a practical handover record
Keep the VIN, exact model, manufacturer emergency-document URL, edition date and local emergency contact in one record. This is more useful than a generic printed sheet covering the whole manufacturer range. Read our underbody impact response guide for owner-level warning signs, and battery recall checks for separate safety-campaign verification.
Frequently asked questions
Is a rescue sheet an owner’s repair guide?
No. It is principally for trained emergency responders. Electrical isolation and vehicle stabilisation can be hazardous.
Can I use a sheet from another model year?
Only when the document explicitly covers that production period and exact variant. Otherwise request a matching version from the manufacturer.
Reference: Euro NCAP official rescue and extrication information; reviewed 12 November 2026.