AUTONEWS

Why electric cars have so many accidents: Statistics show a worrying trend

The sudden acceleration and abundant power are overwhelming for many drivers. That's why electric cars are involved in a particularly high number of traffic accidents. Data from the insurance company AXA from 2022 shows that drivers of electric cars cause 50 percent more collisions that result in damage to their own vehicles than owners of cars with internal combustion engines.

Namely, most electric cars, especially high-performance models, have very high torque that is available without waiting even with light pressure on the accelerator pedal. This can lead to unexpected and sudden acceleration that the driver may no longer be able to control.

The result is not only a higher number of accidents but also different types of accidents. The greatest risk of accidents with electric cars occurs during acceleration, not braking. This is particularly the case with large cars with powerful engines, which of course cost significantly more than smaller and less powerful models. As a result, the damage in an accident is also very expensive.

Crash tests conducted by the insurance company have revealed another weakness of electric cars: the undercarriage. For example, it can be easily damaged if the car accidentally drives over an obstacle. The battery is mounted above the undercarriage. Although it is very well protected by special body reinforcements, this protection is limited to the front, rear and sides, but not the underside.

The undercarriage is clearly the Achilles heel of electric cars, because the battery has no additional protection there. Drivers should be aware of this.

The insurance company is calling on car manufacturers to take measures and better protect their cars, for example with undercarriage protection panels that would prevent battery damage and major fires.

The truth is, the fear of electric car fires is far greater than the actual risk. Only five out of 10,000 electric cars catch fire. That's a rate of 0.05 percent, so the risk of damage from a mink bite, for example, is 38 times higher.

Electric vehicles are gaining rapid popularity as drivers look for environmentally friendly ways to reduce their transportation costs...In 2013, automakers sold nearly 500,00 hybrid vehicles and 100,000 electric vehicles in the United States. In the United States, new electric car registrations totalled 1.4 million in 2023, increasing by more than 40% compared to 2022.

Electric vehicles offer several benefits compared to gasoline-powered vehicles. Marketing of EVs focuses on these benefits without discussing the potential risks of the new technologies. While electric vehicles do offer benefits to drivers and passengers, as well as to surrounding community air quality, they also pose risks during a crash - risks that automakers are just beginning to understand.

EV-Related Accidents in the US and South Carolina...While electric vehicles are becoming more popular, new EV registrations still made up less than 7 percent of all new vehicle registrations at the start of 2023. In total, EVs make up about one percent of all cars on US roads.

To date, statistics on EV accident injuries and deaths indicate that these vehicles are neither significantly more nor significantly less safe than gasoline-powered vehicles. EVs do, however, have unique parts and features that make different types of accidents more common - and that make certain kinds of crashes or crash damage more dangerous. For example:

-New EV owners are three times more likely to cause a crash, partly because they aren’t used to the vehicle’s instant acceleration. 

-33 percent of all EV crashes involve cyclists and pedestrians - a rate 1.5 times higher than gas-powered vehicles. 

-Occupants of an EV have a 40 percent lower risk of injury in a crash, but the vehicle has a 50 percent higher risk of damage - indicating that the forces of the accident are pushed onto others outside the vehicle, increasing their injuries.

-Hybrid vehicles have a 3.14 percent chance of catching fire in any given crash - over twice the risk in a gasoline-powered vehicle and 100 times the risk of a fully electric vehicle. 

Some EVs on the market weigh more than twice the weight of the average passenger vehicle - weighing in at 9,000 pounds instead of the average 4,289 pounds, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Higher weights can mean more traffic deaths. In 2021, 42,915 people died in traffic crashes - a rise of over 10 percent from 2020 and the highest number recorded since 2005. 

Electric vehicles are 37 percent more likely to hit pedestrians than gas-powered ones unless the EV has a noisemaking device installed to alert pedestrians to its presence at low speeds. 

Adding auditory signals to quiet EVs at low speeds is expected to save 2,400 lives annually.

Recent studies and insurance data indicate a "worrying trend" of higher accident rates among electric vehicles (EVs) compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, with some insurers reporting up to 50% more collisions among certain EV groups.This trend is generally not due to faulty technology, but rather a combination of driver behavior, vehicle physics (weight), and unique driving dynamics.Here is a breakdown of why electric cars are seeing higher accident statistics in 2026(below):

1. Instant torque and rapid acceleration

-The cause: Electric motors deliver maximum power instantaneously, unlike gasoline engines which require revs to build power.

-The result: Drivers, particularly those new to EVs, often misjudge this acceleration, leading to "sudden acceleration" accidents, specifically during starting phases and parking, says the Steinberg law firm.

-Data: A 2024 study noted that new EV owners cause crashes at three times the rate of experienced drivers.

2. High-speed potential of heavy vehicles

-The cause: EVs are significantly heavier than their conventional counterparts due to battery packs, yet they often have much higher horsepower.

-The Result: A 2026 report indicates that high-performance EVs are associated with a surge in fatal crashes, with AXA Switzerland  noting that luxury, high-powered EVs cause roughly twice as many accidents as standard cars.Increased 

-Force: The added weight means more momentum and higher forces involved in a crash, increasing the severity of injuries to others, according to the NTSB.

3. One-pedal driving and regeneration

-The cause: Many EVs utilize "one-pedal" driving, where lifting off the accelerator causes rapid deceleration to regenerate energy.

-The result: This different, often abrupt, deceleration profile can confuse following drivers, leading to a higher rate of rear-end collisions.

4. "Silent" operation and pedestrian risk

-The cause: EVs are nearly silent at low speeds, which is a particular hazard in urban settings.

-The result: Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)  suggests EVs are nearly 40% more likely to cause accidents involving pedestrians compared to conventional vehicles, though new noise-emitting regulations (AVAS) are being implemented to mitigate this, says Barcan and Kirby Solicitors.

5. Increased repair costs and sensitivity

-The issue: EV batteries are frequently located at the bottom of the car, making them vulnerable to damage from road debris or accidents.

-The result: Mitchell International  reports that EV collision repairs cost 20% more than conventional cars. Even minor, low-speed impacts can damage the battery, leading to high-cost claims or the car being written off entirely.

Autonews