Electric Cars and Outdated Barriers: A Growing Safety Concern
A warning has been issued by the Vehicle Restraint Manufacturers Association (VRMA), a transport trade body, regarding the safety of electric vehicles (EVs) and the outdated barriers on motorways. The organization has brought to the government’s attention the fact that these barriers may not be equipped to withstand the weight of heavier EVs, potentially endangering lives.
In the letter sent to National Highways, the VRMA highlighted the urgency of the issue, stating that the failure to address this problem “could lead to preventable fatalities, more severe accidents and legal liabilities for governing authorities.”
Heavier Vehicles, Greater Risks
While conventional petrol and diesel cars typically weigh around 1.5 tonnes, electric vehicles, with their substantial battery packs, can weigh between 1.8 and 2.2 tonnes, according to the VRMA. The metal barriers lining Britain’s roads were designed and tested in 1998 to withstand 1.5-tonne vehicles.
Colin Abbott, the joint chairman of the VRMA and director of SSR Limited, expressed his concern, saying, “My concern is that the lives and safety of motorists driving electric vehicles are being put at risk.” The group is pushing for “urgent action,” including immediate inspections of high-risk locations such as motorway bridges and high-speed roads.
Studies and Government Response
A study conducted last year by the University of Nebraska revealed that EVs, due to their heavier batteries, have a lower center of gravity and are capable of breaching crash barriers. National Highways commissioned a study, costing £30,000, to assess the risks in 2023, but the findings have yet to be released. This has further prompted the VRMA to sound the alarm, warning that the absence of an immediate response to their concerns leaves the UK’s road network vulnerable to failures.
A spokesperson for the Department for Transport stated that they continually review the standards for high-speed roadside barriers and that National Highways is currently looking into necessary updates. They added that a comprehensive program of upgrades is in place, with over 900 miles of safety barriers installed or renewed between 2020 and 2024, with a focus on the busiest motorways.
The VRMA is demanding ‘urgent action’ calling for immediate inspections of high-risk areas such as motorway bridges and high-speed roads. The group warns that heavier vehicles moving at high speeds generate far greater force in a crash increasing the likelihood that a barrier will collapse or even send a car careering into oncoming traffic.
The issue highlights an important factor in the safety of EVs as they are becoming more common on the road. With the growing adoption of EVs, ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with the evolving vehicle landscape is essential to prevent accidents.
