How safe is an electric car?
For those who wonder what happens to a little electric car when a big ole pumped up Hummer or suchlike runs into it, look no further.
It's not pretty, especially when you know that the ZENN Microcar was stationary and the big stoopid one was only doing about 20-25mph. (Thanks to Lynne for showing us this rather scary picture on her excellent site.)
This report is hardly reassuring for ZENN drivers, though it's nice to know that you'll to stay glued to the road - or your car will anyway. You're more likely to be bouncing around inside like a lottery ball if you haven't got F1-style safety belts.
After reading this I think I'll include details on my EV Comparison Guide about safety features for each model. Sounds like they could be quite a significant factor in choosing your electric car when the happy day arrives that we actually have a proper range to choose from.
Christine Gupta
in EVangelising
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2 Comments
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Response: direct drive carZAP early on, introduced the fastest production electric car in the country, a three- wheeler called the Xebra that can hit 40 miles per hour. By the end of next year, ZAP will introduce the Obvio , a pint- size Brazilian import that will be the nation? s first commercial car ...
Reader Comments (2)
One should never generalize. There are already several different EVs on the market and the safety is different for each car. The new Th!nk meets all the European and the US safety requirements. There has been a few accidents where 1999-2002 Th!nks have been involved where the steel ICE unibody car has been condemned while there has been no visible damadge to the steel frame/plastic body Th!nk and it could drive from the scene. On one occasion a pizza delivery van fell over on it's side after hitting a Th!nk.
The Kewet http://www.elbilnorge.no/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=6&bakgrunn=om_elbil with it's steel tube frame (like a safety cage in a rally car) and fiberglass body has also performed exeptionally well in real life accidents during the last fifteen years. Only one serious personal injury has been reported, the Kewet driver crushed his knee. Stupid idiot did not wear the safety belt.
The red car in this accident was rear ended by a Citroën Berlingo, flipped over and landed on top of the Kewet in the adjacent lane. Damadge to the Kewet: cracked fiberglass outer door skin.