If you are looking for a safe electric car for you or your family and kids, we provide suggestions for the safest electric vehicles that fit within 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 all vehicle crash tests and safety ratings data. They put vehicles through a wide range of 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. We use the following ten safety dimensions to highlight safe electric vehicles based on your budget and selection criteria.
Electric Car Crash Test Data
To determine how a specific electric vehicle model will fare in the event of an accident, we look at crash test data provided by the NHTSA. Overall, front and side crash test results and rollover data identify the 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 the event of 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 injuries to the head, chest, abdomen, and pelvis. 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. Our search tool evaluates all four safety features in addition to NHTSA crash safety warnings to rank the safest electric vehicles.
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 work to alert you when your electric vehicle is drifting 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
If the driver brakes to avoid the crash, dynamic brake support may assist in helping slow the vehicle down to avoid or reduce the severity of a crash.
Sources