Electric Vehicles Meet the Same Standards as Others on the Road

Commercially available EVs must meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and undergo the same rigorous safety testing as combustion engine vehicles sold in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has a tool to provide information about each car tested.  

To maximize safety, these cars also meet the electrical and safety standards set by the Society of Automotive Engineers, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Working Council, and others. Electric vehicle charging equipment is tested by independent and certified by safety labs, such as Underwriters Laboratories, CSA International and Edison Testing Laboratories.

EVs Recognized for Safety by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

The non-profit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), funded by insurance companies, examined electric and conventional versions of nine vehicle models from 2011 to 2019 as well as collision, property damage liability and injury claims. Data showed that rates of injury claims related to the drivers and passengers of electric vehicles were more than 40% lower than for identical conventional models over 2011-19. 

From IIHS:

IIHS also conducted crash tests with two new electric models. The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge received a TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation, while the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E earned the lower-tier TOP SAFETY PICK award. Earlier this year, the all-electric Audi e-tron, Audi e-tron Sportback and Tesla Model 3 also qualified for 2021 TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards. Several plug-in hybrid vehicles earned awards, too.

Read more: https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/with-more-electric-vehicles-comes-more-proof-of-safety

First Responder Training

Plug-in vehicle have built-in safety mechanisms to protect drives and first emergency responders in case of accidents, and manufacturers publish emergency response guides for their vehicles and offer training for emergency responders. In addition, first responders are being trained on protocols for handling accidents involving plug-in vehicles. Read more about the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Safety Training project.