Are electric vehicles really safer to drive than gas cars?
We are taught from a young age not to mess with electricity because of its raw power. It’s understandable that getting into an electric vehicle that can go from 0 to 60 mph faster than some supercars would make you think twice.
Questions could come to mind like… Can my electric vehicle catch fire? Could I possibly be electrocuted? Because it’s a new technology, it has to be more dangerous, right? Wrong!
Let us walk you through some of the most important safety features modern electric vehicles have to offer while debunking some popular myths.
Fire Risk Reduction
You may have seen some headlines about electric vehicles exploding or catching fire after a crash or even unexpectedly. This can happen, and just like any other car, electric vehicles come with its own risks, however, from a recent report by AutoInsuranceEZ, it brought to light that vehicles operating on regular gasoline are tenfold more likely to catch fire compared to EVs.
“You’re more likely to see a gas car fire after a collision than an electric car fire”
These statistics are based on car fires per 100k sales and are specifically related to just car crashes. Some of the other ways vehicles can ignite are from electrical failures, oil or gas leaks, overheated engines, poor maintenance, smoking materials, and vehicle design flaws.
Due to electric vehicles having to go through much stricter safety regulations than older gasoline-powered vehicles, it is no wonder that the data is pointing out that EVs are much safer than gas cars to drive.
Air Quality
Air quality may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you consider vehicle safety, but with electric vehicles emitting zero tailpipe emissions, the air quality and livability increases.
“Unlike internal combustion engine vehicles that produce hazardous gasses such as carbon monoxide as a byproduct of burning fuel, electric cars are solely powered by electric batteries. “Zero-emissions” means improved air quality that will significantly decrease the chances of air-pollution related illnesses.” (“Are Electric Cars Safe? | Kia Singapore”)
Changing to electric vehicles will help clean the air in areas where air pollution is a major problem. This reduction in air pollution will make it safer for people to live, save a large number of people from preventable illnesses and possibly save their lives.
Weight and Distribution
Electric vehicles need power to keep them going as these come in the form of multiple battery packs attached together. The large battery banks in electric vehicles are typically placed on the bottom of the vehicle, causing them to have a lower center of gravity than conventional cars, making them more stable and less prone to rollovers.
We talked about 3 major reasons why electric vehicles really are safe to drive compared to internal combustion engine vehicles. As EV technology develops even further, there is no doubt manufacturers are continuously seeking ways to further enhance safety aspects and create even more new safety features.
If you are interested in learning more about electric vehicles in the Cayman Islands, reach out to the Carvato EV specialists for a complimentary consultation.