Electric Cars Are Heavier Than Petrol Cars – And That’s Causing a Safety Issue
Heavy electric cars are more likely to smash through outdated motorway barriers, experts say.
According to a warning from the Vehicle Restraint Manufacturers Association (VRMA), a transport trade body, outdated safety barriers may not be equipped to withstand the force of electric vehicles (EVs).
The VRMA has written to the Government regarding concerns that the current safety barriers on UK motorways aren’t designed to handle the weight of electric vehicles, potentially creating a dangerous situation for drivers.
“While switching to electric cars is essential to cutting emissions, it brings a critical and overlooked issue: can our barriers actually keep these heavier vehicles from breaking through?” said Colin Abbott, the joint chairman of the VRMA and director of SSR Limited.
Traditional petrol and diesel cars typically weigh around 1.5 tonnes. In contrast, electric vehicles, with their heavy battery packs, can tip the scales between 1.8 and 2.2 tonnes. The current metal barriers lining Britain’s roads were designed with the 1.5-tonne standard from 1998.
The VRMA is calling for “urgent action,” including immediate inspections of high-risk sites such as motorway bridges and high-speed roads.
In a letter to National Highways, the VRMA warned, “The failure to address this issue could lead to preventable fatalities, more severe accidents and legal liabilities for governing authorities.”
According to a study by the University of Nebraska last year, electric vehicles have a lower center of gravity due to heavier batteries and are capable of smashing through crash barriers.
A Department for Transport spokesman said, “Standards on high-speed roadside barriers are continually under review and National Highways is currently exploring any updates needed.” Furthermore, the spokesman mentioned an ongoing program of upgrades and the installation or renewal of over 900 miles of safety barriers between 2020 and 2024, with a focus on the busiest motorways.
