Heavy Electric Vehicles Raise Safety Concerns on UK Motorways
A motoring industry body is warning that the increasing weight of electric vehicles (EVs) could compromise the safety of UK motorways, potentially leading to catastrophic accidents.
The Vehicle Restraint Manufacturers Association (VRMA) has alerted the government to the potential for heavier EVs to breach existing safety barriers, putting lives at risk.
The primary concern is the weight difference between electric and traditional vehicles. While standard petrol or diesel cars typically weigh around 1.5 tonnes, electric vehicles are often significantly heavier, ranging from 1.8 to 2.2 tonnes. This difference poses a challenge because current “vehicle restraint systems,” the metal barriers that line UK roads, were designed and tested using vehicles weighing around 1.5 tonnes.
The VRMA highlights that these older safety barriers may not be able to withstand the increased kinetic energy generated by heavier EVs traveling at high speeds, increasing the risk of a barrier breach during a collision.
In a letter to the government and National Highways, the VRMA is calling for “urgent research, funding, and policy updates” to ensure that national infrastructure meets the demands of the changing vehicle landscape, specifically focusing on high-risk areas such as bridges and high-speed roads.
Colin Abbott, joint chairman of the VRMA and director of SSR Limited, expressed his concern: “My concern is that the lives and safety of motorists driving electric vehicles are being put at risk.”
National Highways completed a £30,000 study in 2023 to assess the impact of heavier electric vehicles on crash barriers, but the report has not been made public.
A spokesperson for the Department for Transport responded, stating: “Standards on high-speed roadside barriers are continually under review and National Highways is currently exploring any updates needed.”
The VRMA warns that “high-risk areas”, including bridges and high-speed roads, should be checked as a priority. Without upgrades, the association warns the failure to address this issue could lead to preventable fatalities, more severe accidents, and legal liabilities for governing authorities.
