EV Weight Poses Safety Challenges, Says IIHS Chief

What’s Happening: The chief of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), David Harkey, has raised concerns over the safety of electric vehicles (EVs) due to their weight. While EVs are yet to cause any fires during crash tests, their extra weight poses safety risks to other road users in case of a collision.

Why It Matters: As EVs continue to gain popularity and eclipse sales of conventional vehicles, the IIHS anticipates testing many more of them in the coming years. However, Harkey warns that the weight of these vehicles could be dangerous for lighter vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. EV manufacturers will need to address the issue of vehicle weight and safety to ensure EVs provide good protection for their occupants, without endangering others.

Key Points:

  • The weight of electric vehicle batteries poses safety risks for other road users in the event of a collision.
  • Heavier EVs push lighter vehicles backward in a crash, causing higher forces on people in the lighter vehicle and lower forces on people in the heavier vehicle.
  • Pedestrians and bicyclists are also at risk as the extra weight may lead to longer stopping distances.
  • Harkey suggests that EV manufacturers should consider design changes to improve crash compatibility, such as additional crush space in front ends, and equipping all new vehicles with high-performing crash avoidance systems that recognize and brake for pedestrians and bicyclists.
  • State and local governments should also consider lowering speed limits, factoring in the increased danger from weight disparities, and backing them up with increased enforcement.

Bottom Line: While the development of electric vehicles is a positive step towards reducing emissions, manufacturers and governments need to address the safety risks posed by their weight to ensure that they are safe for all road users. By designing EVs that prioritize the safety of all road users, the industry can continue to advance towards a sustainable future without compromising safety.

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