Are Electric Vehicles as Safe as Conventional Cars?

Electric vehicles, or EVs, are the future. As the real-world impacts of the climate crisis make themselves known,
and as technological advancements continue to improve the efficiency and practicality of commercial EVs, they
have become more popular amongst drivers. But with a new era for driving comes a new set of challenges,
some of which impact the safety of other road users.

EVs and Heightened Risk

Though EVs are generally thought of as a safer vehicle than conventional combustion-engine vehicles –
whether due to the newer technology used in their design or the relative lack of mechanical systems to fail –
there has been some evidence to suggest that EVs could be significantly more dangerous. According to a report out of Europe, EVs have been involved in 50% more accidents than petrol or diesel cars.

Why Might EVs Be Dangerous?

There are various factors involved in ascertaining the safety of a given vehicle, from the quality of their
features to experimental evidence on the roads. Each can provide insights into different aspects of car design
and usage, with the latter factor speaking more to the habits and behaviours of those behind the wheel.

EVs handle in a fundamentally different way to petrol or diesel vehicles. The electric motor transfers high
levels of torque extremely efficiently, putting more acceleration power at the feet of the driver; this can lead
to inconsistent or poorly-controlled acceleration, increasing the risk of an accident. To this end, inexperienced
drivers face the risk of liability through personal injury claims from injured parties, rather than the companies
that manufacture EVs.

However, EV manufacturers may yet hold some liability for part of the increased incidence of accidents –
relating specifically to the early designs of the lithium-ion batteries that power EVs. These batteries store a
large amount of charge, and are susceptible to violent exothermic reaction when pierced or allowed to
overheat. There have been some public incidents where EVs have caught fire, either after an accident or due
to an electrical malfunction at rest.

Risk to Pedestrians

It should also be mentioned that pedestrians face an increased level of risk from the growing population of EVs
on the road. Conventional petrol- or diesel-powered vehicles are naturally noisy, and can often be sensed
without being directly in sight. EVs, meanwhile, are almost silent in operation. This poses issues in urban or
residential areas, and particularly so for people with visual impairments; the silent approach of EVs can make it
harder for pedestrians to detect them, resulting in higher likelihoods of collision.

A Safer Future

Despite the above concerns and their validity, there is hope yet for EVs with regard to road safety. EVs are
undeniably the future, as borne out by the objective rarity of fossil fuels and the irreparable damage they
cause to climate systems; as such, change is both inevitable and necessary – and has already begun to be
implemented. Battery designs have been improved significantly to reduce the risk of fire, while speed-based
auditory cues are being added as standard to assist in detection by pedestrians.