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Accident research- Why e-cars are more likely to be involved in accidents

The electro mobility is booming. But it also has ist downsides as is now becoming apparent. Electric cars cause around 50 % more collisions with self-inflicted damage on the road than conventional passenger cars, and the high-performance ones even more than twice as many. AXA accident researchers from Switzerland show why this is the case and what the consequences are for safety in this year`s crash tests.
“The more powerful the vehicle, the more often drivers cause damage to their own or other vehicles,” explains Michael Pfäffli, head of accident research and prevention at AXA. The reason for this is probably related not least to the powerful lithium-ion-batteries of e-cars: “The battery is the heart of e-cars. They influence both the performance and thus the behaviour, the weight, and the design. Furthermore, the battery continues to have a significant impact on rescue and recovery operations.”, Pfäffli continues. The general public`s knowledge of e-mobility is definitely expandable, which is why the experts wants to get to the bottom of the risks with the help of crash tests.
Especially the high-performance cars differ strongly in driving behaviour from ordinary passenger cars. More than 50 % electric car drivers had to adapt their driving behaviour according to AXA-study, first of all the braking performance. The risk here is not in reducing speed, but rather in accelerating. The so-called overtapping effect is often underestimated. Electric cars have a very high torque, which is immediately noticeable when the pedal is pressed, so that there is often unintended and jerky acceleration that is no longer controllable. This effect is likely to be the cause of increased damage frequency, among other things. In an initial crash in which a Tesla driver supposedly presses the pedal only briefly and loses control due to the strong acceleration. As a result of the rollover and the impact, there is sever damage to the underbody of the car, which brings up the next topic: the underbody.
Underbody damage often occurs while driving over road islands, stones or traffic circles. The drive battery is actually very well protected, but it does have weak points. The underbody, however, is particularly at risk because the battery is not additionally protected there. Drivers must be aware of this. Manufacturers are encouraged to incorporate adequate protection, such as adding a titanium plate to the underbody. AXA also recommends that an additional crash test scenario be conducted at Euro NCAP. However, if the battery is actually damaged in an accident, a fire can result. This happens very rarely and statistically only 5 out 10,000 cars fall victim to fire. So the bottom line is that it`s a prejudice that electric cars are more likely to start burning that a regular car. On the contrary, the risk is even lower. But when it comes to fire, it becomes dangerous due to the thermal runaway. A satisfactory solution to extinguish such fires satisfactorily does not exist yet either. However, it is important that emergency services get to the inside of the battery as quickly as possible.
In general, cars are getting heavier and heavier. Away from the e-cars, the average weight of a car from 2020 is 1680 kilograms. Cars born in 2000 weighed around 1340 kilograms, which is around 25% less. Electromobility adds to his. The average weight of a new battery-powered vehicle will probably be 2 tons in a few years. In terms of an accident between an electrified car and a combustion engine, the lighter car is at a disadvantage in terms of property damage. A heavy car causes about 10% more property damage. Personal injuries do not increase due to the divergence of weight classes. The safety systems of modern vehicles can usually compensate for this. However, it becomes problematic the older the vehicle is. In concrete terms, the percentage for a car older than 10 years is around 20%. Accordingly, occupants of the cars are basically well protected. However, fears that recovering occupants of e-cars would be more dangerous for emergency services are unfounded, according to AXA. The battery is automatically disconnected from other high-full components and cables within milliseconds. A voltage existing through a circuit would thus be interrupted, a rescue thus possible without danger and still mandatory.
Overall, AXA recommends a conscious approach to the so-called overtapping effect. If possible, the strength of the acceleration can be downgraded manually. Furthermore, special attention must be paid to the underbody. Moreover, drivers of a heavier vehicle should be aware of their greater personal safety and responsibility towards road users of a possibly older or lighter vehicle. Of course, care should be taken in road traffic anyway.
Last but not least, it is expected that insurance premiums for electric cars will increase because drivers cause more accidents and the cost of insurance is higher than for conventional vehicles.