Enhancing Electric Vehicle Emergency Response Training Through Virtual Reality

As electric-vehicle (EV) sales keep rising, EV-related incidents are becoming more frequent, yet many first responders still rely on traditional training and feel unprepared for the new challenges. To help address this gap, we created a virtual reality (VR) training system that offers an interactive and immersive learning environment without real-world risks. We compared the VR system with two other learning formats—text-based and video-based—in a controlled study that enrolled university students and firefighters. Participants were randomly assigned to one format, completed a self-evaluation before and after training, then took a multiple-choice test immediately afterward. The identical test was sent to them again two weeks later to measure long-term retention. Usability, perceived usefulness, and workload were also recorded. All three methods improved participants’ knowledge. VR and text showed better results than video in immediate learning. However, VR stood out for long-term retention, showing the smallest drop in scores after 2 weeks. Participants also found VR experience more engaging and realistic. These findings suggest that VR can be a powerful tool to better prepare first responders for EV emergencies.