Electric Vehicle Weight Raises Road Safety Concerns
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly common on UK roads, but a new concern has arisen regarding the safety of existing infrastructure. The Vehicle Restraint Manufacturers Association (VRMA) has issued a warning that the added weight of electric cars could compromise the effectiveness of current crash barriers, potentially putting lives at risk.
According to the VRMA, the issue stems from the significant weight difference between electric and traditional combustion engine vehicles. While a typical petrol or diesel car weighs around 1.5 tonnes (1,500kg), EVs usually weigh between 1.8 and 2.2 tonnes. Current “vehicle restraint systems” – the metal barriers lining roads – are designed to meet standards dating back to 1998, which were tested with lighter vehicles.
The VRMA has written a letter to the UK government highlighting the problem. They are calling for “urgent research, funding, and policy updates” to ensure that the infrastructure can withstand the force of heavier vehicles. High-risk areas like bridges and motorways should be prioritized for inspection, the group says.
Kinetic Energy and Barrier Breaches
The VRMA’s letter, which was seen by The Telegraph, emphasizes that the kinetic energy created by heavier EVs traveling at the same speeds as lighter cars, will “increase the force exerted on safety barriers” in a collision. This will lead to “higher risk of a barrier breach,” where vehicles may penetrate or topple over the barriers, potentially causing catastrophic accidents.
The failure to address this issue could lead to preventable fatalities, more severe accidents and legal liabilities for governing authorities.
This is according to the aforementioned letter.
Colin Abbott, the joint chairman of the VRMA and director of SSR Limited, which manufactures anchoring systems for barriers, stated, “My concern is that the lives and safety of motorists driving electric vehicles are being put at risk.”
A Largely Overlooked Issue
Abbott further explained that the majority of barriers currently in use are only designed to withstand the impact of a 1.5-tonne vehicle. He emphasized that the UK’s transition to EVs introduces a critical, overlooked issue: whether existing systems can safely redirect heavier, battery-laden vehicles. He raised the concern that if a failure occurs, the government and National Highways could be at risk of being sued.
The University of Nebraska conducted studies showing how electric vehicles weighing a lot more than conventional ones and having a lower center of gravity due to their battery weights, can smash guardrails used on US highways.
In 2023, National Highways commissioned a study with a budget of £30,000 to assess the impact of heavier electric vehicles on crash barriers. The report’s non-release has caused the VRMA to worry. At the time of the study, National Highways stated they were not aware of any crash barrier tests involving electric vehicles. The Department for Transport responded about the government’s stance: “Standards on high-speed roadside barriers are continually under review and National Highways is currently exploring any updates needed.” They added that there is an ongoing program of upgrades, with over 900 miles of safety barriers installed or renewed between 2020 and 2024.
