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The future of cars is electric: however, although the path is being charted, there are still several current questions about the safety of electric vehicles (EV). But are they valid?
According to Jingwen Hu, research professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan (USA), in an article in the publication ‘The Conversation’, the extra security concerns are undoubtedly unreasonable.
EVs and internal combustion vehicles undergo the same crash testing procedures to assess their crashworthiness and occupant protection. Crash test dummies representing medium-sized male occupants and small female occupants are used in this test to assess the risk of injury.
In the tests, it is also possible to assess the risk of fire caused by thermal runaway – when lithium-ion batteries undergo rapid and uncontrollable heating – in EV batteries or leaks in the fuel tanks of internal combustion vehicles.
None of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) EV crash tests in the United States have caused any fires. New Car Assessment Program crash test reports produce comparable results. Which allows for a conclusion: although analysis of real-world data on EV fires is limited, it appears that media and social media scrutiny of EV fire risk is disproportionate.
What stands out about EV safety is that crash test results, terrain injury data and injury complaints have revealed that EVs are superior to their internal combustion counterparts in protecting their occupants.
This EV advantage comes down to a mix of physics and cutting-edge technologies.
Thanks to their robust batteries positioned in the base of the car, EVs tend to carry considerably more weight and enjoy lower centers of gravity than conventional vehicles. This configuration drastically reduces the likelihood of rollover accidents, which have a high mortality rate. Furthermore, the dynamics of the accident determine that, in a collision between two vehicles, the heavier vehicle has a distinct advantage because it does not slow down as abruptly, a factor strongly linked to the risk of injury to the occupants.
On the technology side, most EVs represent newer models equipped with state-of-the-art safety systems, from advanced energy-absorbing materials to state-of-the-art collision avoidance systems and upgraded seat belt and airbag configurations. These features collectively enhance occupant protection.
Where the risks increase
Unfortunately, EVs also present numerous safety challenges.
While the inherent weight of EVs offers a natural advantage in protecting occupants, it also means that other vehicles bear the burden of absorbing more energy in collisions with heavier EVs. This dilemma is central to the concept of “crash compatibility,” a well-established field of security research.
Imagine the scenario: a small sedan collides with a heavy one. Car occupants always face greater risks of injury. ‘Crash compatibility’ studies measure vehicle aggressiveness by the level of damage inflicted on other vehicles: heavier models are almost always considered more aggressive.
Additionally, the increased energy associated with heavier EV impacts, especially electric pickup trucks, poses significant challenges for road rails. Additionally, EVs – especially those that operate silently at low speeds – pose increased risks to pedestrians, cyclists and others who may not hear the vehicle approaching.
