Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln say a new vehicle safety study proves that electric vehicles (EVs) are too heavy to be restrained by guardrails on both sides of the road in the event of an accident. [emphasis, links added]
A leading researcher at the university's Midwest Roadside Safety Facility (MwRSF) warned: There needs to be “a certain urgency to address this issue.”
In a study sponsored by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) and in partnership with Auburn University's Transportation Research Institute, MwRSF conducted a “first crash test” of an electric pickup truck in October 2023.
The test used a 7,148-pound 2022 Rivian R1T truck driven over obstacles at 60 mph. The video shows the heavy-duty electric vehicle completely breaking through a guardrail and crashing through a concrete wall while blowing chunks of it away:
The R1T's massive weight is largely due to its 135 kWh battery pack, This makes the vehicle “a ton heavier than a Ford F-150 SuperCab” says car review site Edmunds.
“There is an urgent need to address this issue,” MwRSF Assistant Director Cody Stolle told the university's news publication in January. “As the proportion of electric vehicles on the road increases, The proportion of off-road crashes involving electric vehicles will also increase.“
Although the impact with concrete brought the pickup to a stop, “Several 5,000-pound barriers were pushed back 10 feet — 50 percent more than normal,” CBS News reported on the test Thursday.
Researchers say Safety barriers and guardrails are typically tested using vehicles weighing between 2,400-5,000 pounds – much lighter than electric vehicles“Its weight is typically 20% to 50% heavier than a gasoline-powered vehicle.”
“MwRSF research shows Electric vehicles are involved in off-road crashes at about the same rate and speed as gasoline vehicles,” the university said.
“This means that the impact energy generated when an electric vehicle hits a roadside obstacle may increase by 20% to 50%.”
“There is a need to re-examine the design of roadside guardrails, even beyond electric vehicles,” Stoller said. “This is an urgent and timely need.”
Another test of a 2018 Tesla Model 3 in September 2023 showed that the sedan's structure could Lift the guardrail and pass under it, then stop behind the barrier.
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