Electric Vehicle Crash Danger
As manufacturers continue to make electric vehicles heavier to meet consumer demand for greater distance/range, a U.S. Transportation official warns about their weight in crashes with lighter cars.
Jennifer Homendy of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) noted that the battery in the new electric Hummer weights 1,300 kilograms, which is more than the weight of a Honda Civic. She warned of an increased risk of severe injury and death should the two collide. The electric versions of the Ford F-150 truck and Mustang Mach E are hundreds of kilograms heavier than their gas-powered models, posing similar concerns.
“It’s a simple matter of mass and speed,” said Michael Brooks, who runs the Center for Auto Safety, a consumer advocacy group. A 2011 study showed that the risk of death increases by 47 percent with just an extra 500 kilograms. The study did not consider that electric vehicles get up to speed much faster than gas-powered engines, and that visibility is hampered in some of the newer model designs.
Electric vehicles continue to gain popularity due to their minimal environmental impact. Sales are on the rise, and these vehicles now make up almost 6 percent of the new cars on the road. The Biden administration is pushing for electric vehicles to represent half of all vehicles by 2030. Experts say it will take years for manufacturers to be able to develop smaller batteries that provide the travel distances Americans want, so the weight imbalance will continue to remain a concern.
If you were involved in a car accident with an electronic vehicle and suffered injury due to the negligence of the other driver, contact a top Philadelphia motor vehicle accident attorney to discuss your legal rights.