If you are looking for a safe electric car for you or your family and kids, we suggest the safest electric vehicles that fit your budget and criteria.
We analyze industry crash data and available safety features on every model to determine which electric cars are the safest for you and your family.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides data on vehicle crash tests and safety ratings. They put vehicles through various crash scenarios to see how well the vehicle protects the passengers and driver in a crash.
With sensors, cameras, various driver assist features, pedestrian detection systems, and up-to-date software, electric cars are even safer than ever. These features can help any driver avoid a crash.
Our algorithm combines multiple data points from NHTSA ratings and additional electric car safety features to give you our ratings for the safest electric cars on the road. Based on your budget and selection criteria, we use the following ten safety dimensions to highlight safe electric vehicles.
Electric Car Crash Test Data
We rely on NHTSA crash test data to evaluate EV safety in accidents. Overall, front and side crash test results and rollover data identify safer electric cars.
All crash test data are rated from 1 to 5 stars, with five being the safest.
Frontal (Driver and Passenger) Vehicle Crash Test
The frontal crash test represents the scenario of two similar vehicles with the same weight getting into a head-on collision. The head-on collision is based on an average-sized male driver, with a small-sized adult female in the front passenger seat. The crash test evaluates the potential injury to the vehicle passengers’ head, neck, chest, and legs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducts a frontal vehicle crash into a fixed barrier at 35 miles per hour. Also, note that vehicle weight is an advantage in a frontal crash.
Side (Front and Rear) Barrier Vehicle Crash Test
The side crash tests represent the event where another vehicle impacts the side of your electric car. For the crash, NHTSA used an average-sized male driver and a small-sized female in the rear passenger seat. The crash test evaluates possible head, chest, abdomen, and pelvis injuries. NHTSA uses a 3,015-pound moving barrier to simulate a side-impact crash, crashing at 38.5 miles per hour into a stationary vehicle. Again the more stars, the better.
Vehicle Rollover Test
The rollover is used to identify the chance of your vehicle losing control and rolling over on a curved road while traveling at 55 miles per hour. In this test, the more stars represent, the lower chance of the electric vehicle rolling over.
Electric Car Safety Features
Technology takes safety to the next level by attempting to help the driver avoid a collision. We analyze four-vehicle safety features that can help keep you safe. The NHTSA evaluates vehicles with forward collision, lane departure, crash imminent braking, and dynamic brake support. We rank electric vehicle safety based on four features and NHTSA crash warnings using our search tool.
Forward Collision Warning
Forward collision warning systems monitor the speeds of the electric vehicle you are driving, the vehicle’s speed in front of you, and the distance between you. If you get too close to the car in front of you, the forward collision system will warn you of a possible crash. Please note that the forward collision system only warns you and does not take any action to avoid a frontal collision.
Lane Departure Warning
Lane departure warning systems alert you when your electric vehicle drifts out of its lane. However, the lane departure system only provides a warning and takes no action to avoid a crash.
Crash Imminent Braking
Crash imminent braking applies to the vehicle’s brakes if the driver takes no action to slow or stop the car to avoid or reduce the severity of an accident.
Dynamic Brake Support
Dynamic brake support can help avoid crashes by slowing down the vehicle.
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