It’s important to fully understand the pros and cons of purchasing an electric vehicle. Compared to other cars, electric vehicles are comparatively quiet during operation, which makes them harder for pedestrians to hear. NHTSA mandates that EVs emit warning sound when they travel under 20 mph. This is to reduce this issue. However, EVs still have the disadvantage of not being as easily noticeable to pedestrians, making them prone to accidents.
Safety
Although electric vehicles (EVs), in most cases are safer than gasoline-powered vehicles, there are still concerns regarding their safety in an accident. Electric cars weigh more than their gasoline-powered counterparts. This makes them more powerful in an accident. Depending on how heavy the battery pack is, both electric and combustion vehicles will cause varying amounts of damage. When choosing a vehicle, drivers should consider its weight.
Most electric cars are equipped with crash avoidance technologies, which improve occupant safety in a crash. Tesla models, for example, include adaptive cruise control, all-speed auto emergency braking, lane keeping assistance and rear cross traffic alert. These advanced features are also offered by Audi and Mercedes-Benz.
Lithium-ion batteries power the vehicles. These batteries are known for overheating and exploding, making them dangerous. Luckily, most EVs use the exact same battery technology. The entire vehicle’s floor is lined with lithium-ion batteries, which makes them more vulnerable to a fire. The batteries can retain heat up to days after an incident. This could cause catastrophic damage. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is working to improve battery resilience and thermal response, which can help EVs withstand crashes.
An electric vehicle battery can explode or catch fire in an accident. To prevent this from happening, some electric vehicles have been reengineered to place the batteries far from common points of impact. Some EVs even have protective layers around the batteries to reduce the risk of fire and overheating. The battery can be dispersed throughout the engine to reduce the risk of an electric explosion.
Consumers are concerned about safety of EVs in an accident. The IIHS concluded that there is no risk that a battery will burst in an accident. However, emergency responders must take precautions so that they don’t discharge batteries. Manufacturers have begun to include battery diagnostics on their future models.
Range
There are many benefits to electric cars. However, there are also some drawbacks. First, electric cars are heavy. Although this is not a major issue, electric cars are heavier than conventional cars. This makes them more dangerous in car accidents. A recent study from Switzerland suggests that electric cars are more dangerous than conventional vehicles in terms of pedestrian deaths.
Electric cars produce much less road noise than gasoline and diesel vehicles. This could pose a safety risk as pedestrians may not hear approaching cars. This can increase pedestrian and bicyclist injuries. Also, electrically powered vehicles are much more likely to catch on fire if involved in a crash.
Finally, EVs can pose a serious risk to rescue workers in an accident. The battery-powered cars can overheat and cause injuries to rescue workers. Manufacturers of electric vehicles are working to reduce this risk. To avoid accidents, owners should install charging stations. Also, have professionals perform repairs.
Additionally, electric cars are heavier than gasoline vehicles. This makes them harder to control in an accident. A high torque electric car can lead to unwanted acceleration which can be dangerous. A study by AXA found that electric cars are heavier than gasoline vehicles. An electric Golf weighed 3637 pounds more than a gasoline-powered model.
The cost of electricity is another disadvantage. To maintain their battery power, some electric cars require a lot of charging. They may not have charging stations nearby, which can lead to owners being stuck on long trips.
Reliability – Abogados de Accidentes Riverside
There are safety concerns and problems that electric cars can pose. Several high profile accidents involving EVs have resulted in their burning to the ground. While fires involving EVs are rare, they do happen. After a collision, an EV could catch fire just like any other vehicle.
Electric cars are significantly heavier than their gas-powered counterparts, which can increase the amount of damage incurred in an accident. They also have a higher torque making them more difficult to control. They are also heavier, making them more likely to strike pedestrians. An insurance company in Switzerland has conducted crash tests on electric cars, and has concluded that they cause more damage. An electric car weighs three times as much as a gasoline-powered vehicle.
While there have been a number of problems with EVs, many owners are confident in their purchase. Most EV owners don’t worry about reliability. EVs have fewer moving parts than conventional cars, so they require less maintenance than their gasoline-powered counterparts. Over their lifetime, battery electric vehicles are typically less expensive than $4,600 to maintain.
Although electric cars are more reliable than other cars, there are some problems associated with them. The most common problems that occur with EVs involve technology. Luxury EVs use more complex technology than lower-priced cars. Consumer Reports also points out that EVs are more reliable and less likely to break down than gas-powered vehicles.
Safety for pedestrians is another concern. The study found that pedestrians reported fewer accidents involving EVs than their ICE counterparts. This raises the possibility that pedestrians could be hit by an EV or an HEV.
Legal Remedies
If you have been involved in an electric car accident, you may have legal recourse. Even if you are not responsible for the accident, you may still be entitled for compensation for injuries or property damage. The law protects victims of electric car accidents against unfair claims practices and aggressive insurance adjusters. To discuss your case with a local attorney about filing a lawsuit, you should call the office of an experienced Abogados de Accidentes Riverside.
The Ehline Law Firm specializes as an attorney for injured EV owners. They offer free consultations and can help you decide your legal options. Michael Ehline is the founder of the firm. He is an inactive Marine who has been a lawyer since the State Bar’s law office study program. He holds a J.D. He graduated from the University of California Los Angeles School of Law. He has won some of the largest motorcycle accident settlements in the world and can help you determine whether you should pursue legal action.
Personal injury lawsuits can result in damages that differ from one state to the next. Non-tangible injuries such as pain and suffering or disfigurement, may result in damages. Punitive damages are also possible, but they are rarer and often limited by state laws. Punitive damages are intended to deter future behavior by the defendant driver.