There is no longer any doubt that the future of cars lies in electric cars. Even if they do not completely replace cars with internal combustion engines, they will at least dominate the market. However, many people are wary of electric cars due to safety concerns. This is largely due to lithium-ion batteries, which are prone to fire and even explosion. Concerns in this regard have been added to by several high-profile accidents involving electric vehicles, which were burned to the ground as a result of the incidents. At the same time, electric car manufacturers often claim that their cars are much safer than cars with internal combustion engines.
Many people are afraid of electric vehicles catching fire
An electric car may catch fire — truth or myth
Tesla cars have been repeatedly accused of being involved in accidents due to Autopilot. But we will not touch on the topic of software and the safety of autonomous technologies, but will talk exclusively about the cars themselves.
As mentioned above, people are most afraid of fire and explosion of lithium-ion batteries. In addition, many fear that if the car gets into water, a short circuit will occur, resulting in electrocution to the people inside. But can this really happen?
Electric cars, like cars with internal combustion engines, undergo crash tests to evaluate their safety before going on sale. Medium-sized mannequins are used as the driver and passengers. During crash tests, attention is primarily paid to the risk of injury in various collisions, including frontal ones.
Electric cars, like other cars, undergo crash tests in which they prove their safety
In addition, experts also check for the possibility of a fire caused by “thermal runaway,” that is, when the battery experiences rapid, uncontrolled heating, or by destruction of the battery as a result of an accident. If the car is equipped with an internal combustion engine, it undergoes a fire safety test in the event of a fuel leak from the gas tank.
None of the car models currently sold have caught fire during crash tests. In addition, they are made in such a way that a person will not suffer from electricity if the car falls into the water. As for the analysis of real data on electric car fires, it indicates that information about their danger is greatly exaggerated. Of course, cases of fire cannot be denied, but cars with internal combustion engines also sometimes catch fire. In other words, a fire can occur for a variety of reasons, often not even related to the presence of a lithium-ion battery.
How safe are electric cars
Most electric cars are the most advanced cars, equipped with all kinds of active and passive safety systems. These include intelligent accident prevention systems, improved airbags and seat belts, as well as energy-absorbing materials, etc.
In addition, these cars have a massive battery pack located under the bottom. As a result, they are heavier, but have a much lower center of gravity than internal combustion engine vehicles. As a result, they are more stable on the road, so they are less likely to be involved in rollover accidents, which often lead to the death of the driver and passengers.
In addition, these cars have a lot of weight, which also gives them an advantage in collisions with many other passenger cars, since they do not slow down as sharply. Accordingly, passengers have a greater chance of surviving such accidents and not receiving serious injuries.
During accidents, electric vehicles are less likely to roll over than cars with internal combustion engines
What are the dangers of electric vehicles
< p>According to The Conversation, due to their heavy weight, electric cars are safer for passengers and drivers, but at the same time dangerous for other road users. In addition, they are quieter than cars with internal combustion engines, which increases the danger for pedestrians who may simply not hear the approaching car.
As for the danger for people who are inside the electric vehicle, as already mentioned Above, complaints mainly concern the autopilot. Therefore, you should not trust it too much, especially while the technology is still relatively new. We also previously talked about one sensational accident that occurred with a Tesla car, in which there was a 50-year-old billionaire. However, it is not related to the design features of all electric vehicles.
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In general, we can come to the conclusion that electric cars are indeed safer than cars with internal combustion engines. This is especially true for budget small cars, the safety of which manufacturers usually do not pay much attention to.