Electric Vehicles’ Weight Raises Concerns Over Guardrail Safety, Study Finds, US

Electric vehicles, which are heavier than their gas-powered counterparts, are causing concern as crash test data reveals they can easily crash through steel highway guardrails not designed to withstand the extra force. The research, conducted by the University of Nebraska, highlights the weight disparity between electric vehicles and lighter gas-powered cars. The study found that electric vehicles typically weigh 20% to 50% more than gas-powered vehicles due to the batteries, which can weigh as much as a small gas-powered car. The guardrails, typically made of steel, offer little resistance to electric vehicles, which have lower centers of gravity. The test, which involved a nearly 4-ton Rivian R1T electric pickup truck, demonstrated how the vehicle tore through the metal guardrail before hitting a concrete barrier on the other side. The results raise concerns about the effectiveness of the nation’s roadside safety system and the ability of guardrails to keep passenger vehicles from leaving the road in critical areas. The National Transportation Safety Board expressed similar concerns last year, particularly regarding the safety risks heavy electric vehicles pose when colliding with lighter vehicles. Road safety officials and organizations acknowledge that electric vehicles generally offer superior protection to occupants, but the purpose of guardrails is to prevent vehicles from leaving the road in potentially fatal crashes. The crash test findings underline the urgent need for engineering roadside barriers that can handle the weight of electric vehicles. As the popularity of electric vehicles continues to grow, it becomes increasingly important to address this issue for the safety of all road users.