Safety is an issue many would-be EV buyers are concerned about, but should they be?

When it comes to choosing a car safety should be one of the key considerations you make, in particular, the safety features the car comes with and how it performed in crash tests. All electric cars are subject to the same stringent crash tests and ratings as all other cars. The Euro NCAP an independent organisation established in 1997 rates the safety performance of cars on a five-star scale. A top rating indicates an overall excellent performance by the car in crash protection tests and that it is well equipped with comprehensive and robust crash avoidance technology, while a zero-star safety rating means that while the car may meet type-approval standards so it can legally be sold, it is lacking critical modern safety technology.

In 2022 the Tesla Model S emerged as best in the “Executive Car” and “Pure Electric” categories, with its Model Y counterpart being awarded best in the “Small Off-Road" category. The Hyundai IONIQ 6 was best in the “Large Family Car” category with the newly released ORA Funky Cat being awarded best in class for the “Small Family Car” category.

Electric cars are also subject to the same extensive all-weather testing by manufacturers before they go to market in exactly the same way as all other cars.

Are electric vehicles safe in rain or in a flood?

We all know not to mix electricity and water so thankfully electric cars are specifically designed so that the battery cells are shielded from the elements to ensure they will not come in contact with water. By the same token, it is also perfectly safe to charge an electric car in the rain. For example, Bergan, Norway’s Wettest City has on average 239 rainy days a year and yet Norway is home to more than half a million EVs.

Similarly, regarding floods and electric cars, the same rule applies for EVs as for conventional cars where possible avoid driving through floodwater. Turn around and find another route but in the event of having to drive through water, there is no additional worry with EVs and floods.

What impact does the weight of battery weight have on safety?

Some specific EV characteristics increase their safety including their lower centre of gravity. Batteries are heavy so by locating them low down in the car means that Electric Cars tend to have a lower centre of gravity than conventional vehicles. As a result, they are less likely to roll over than a conventional car and are therefore more stable.

Are electric cars more likely to go on fire than petrol or diesel cars?

Battery fires tend to get considerable media attention, but they are rare and generally fires involving combustion engines are far more common. It is also worth remembering that car fires are far less common today than they were a few decades ago.

Nonetheless, electric cars can go on fire and when they do battery fires tend to burn longer. There is also the added risk that they can spontaneously reignite after being extinguished so they pose more of a challenge to fire services. Generally, electric car fires happen because the lithium-ion battery becomes damaged by being exposed to extreme heat or something has penetrated the battery cell wall. This can be a result of a host of issues from manufacturing defects or design flaws to physical damage during an accident. While these events are rare, to safeguard against any risks always keep your car properly maintained and regularly serviced.

Are EVs more dangerous for vulnerable road users?

Electric cars are almost silent, especially when travelling at low speeds so in urban areas with low speed limits the lack of engine noise means other road users, particularly pedestrians and cyclists cannot hear them approaching. Regulations were introduced that mean all new electric cars sold after July 1, 2021, regardless of model, must make a noise when travelling at low speeds. The acoustic vehicle alert system (AVAS) cannot be turned off.

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