Well, shoot. Yet another things that shows the push for EVs is not ready for primetime
Crash tests indicate nation’s guardrail system can’t handle heavy electric vehicles
Electric vehicles that typically weigh more than gasoline-powered cars can easily crash through steel highway guardrails that are not designed to withstand the extra force, raising concerns about the nation’s roadside safety system, according to crash test data released Wednesday by the University of Nebraska.
Electric vehicles typically weigh 20% to 50% more than gas-powered vehicles thanks to batteries that can weigh almost as much as a small gas-powered car. And they have lower centers of gravity. Because of these differences, guardrails can do little to stop electric vehicles from pushing through barriers typically made of steel.
Last fall, engineers at Nebraska’s Midwest Roadside Safety Facility watched as an electric-powered pickup truck hurtled toward a guardrail installed on the facility’s testing ground on the edge of the local municipal airport. The nearly 4-ton (3.6 metric ton) 2022 Rivian R1T tore through the metal guardrail and hardly slowed until hitting a concrete barrier yards away on the other side.
“We knew it was going to be an extremely demanding test of the roadside safety system,” said Cody Stolle with the facility. “The system was not made to handle vehicles greater than 5,000 pounds.”
On the brightside, after slamming through the guardrails the vehicles did offer fantastic protection for the passengers
But the entire purpose of guardrails, found along tens of thousands of miles of roadway, is to help keep passenger vehicles from leaving the road, said Michael Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety. Guardrails are intended to keep cars from careening off the road at critical areas, such as over bridges and waterways, near the edges of cliffs and ravines and over rocky terrain, where injury and death in an off-the-road crash are much more likely.
“Guardrails are kind of a safety feature of last resort,” Brooks said. “I think what you’re seeing here is the real concern with EVs — their weight. There are a lot of new vehicles in this larger-size range coming out in that 7,000-pound range. And that’s a concern.”
In fairness, a lot of big vehicles are a problem, but, most EVs are sedans and compact SUV size, and the guardrails won’t save you. Have fun!
Going to have to call BS on this one.
Yes, EVs are heavier than similar ICE vehicles. But there are lots of highway vehicles exceeding 5,000 pounds. (F-150, Toyota Tundra, F-250). The lightning is about 1,000 pounds more than the F-150, depending on trim level. Honda Accord is about 600 pounds lighter than a Tesla model 3. but both are well under 4,000 pounds (driver not included).
Meanwhile, the Highway departments of the various government agencies are keeping pace with the design and implementation of better quality guard rails, as well as other safety demands. They recently decided that guard rails should be 31 inches high instead of 28 inches, due to the higher percentage of SUVs on the roads. Eventually, all existing guard rails will be replaced or refit to the newer standards.
Existing and older guardrails can be easily accommodated by just requiring EV Rivians and Lightnings to slow the F down on curves. (just like larger vehicles of all types ALREADY do).
Existing and older guardrails can be easily accommodated by just requiring EV Rivians and Lightnings to slow the F down on curves. (just like larger vehicles of all types ALREADY do).
That’s sarcastic humor. Right??
Our distinguished host wrote:
I guess that depends upon where the guardrails are. In most cases, guardrails are installed in places in which the road is significantly higher or lower than the land off the side of the road. The guardrails are designed to keep vehicles on the roadways/shoulders, as opposed to plunging down a thirty foot embankment, or sliding up a gradient which will flip the vehicle upside down.
The Professor amused me:
You’re kidding, right? People are going to drive the way they drive, and if good drivers know what their vehicles can and cannot do, there are a whole lot of drivers out there whose skills cannot reasonably be called good.
Doom!!
What about the F150, Silverado, Ram, Grand Cherokee, Tundra, Explorer… and every delivery vehicle on the road. A loaded semi can weigh up to 80,000 lbs! Recreational vehicles? Boat and trailers?
And a loaded pickup? (We know, we know, most F150, Silverado, Ram pickups are bought for their image and not their utility)
A base F150 weighs more than a Tesla
A big Merc Ed des SUV weighs 20% more than a Tesla Mod Y
A F 159 weighs more than a Mod 3 or Mod Y Tesla.
Teach never wants to look deeper at the “facts” he wants to parott
Lol
Teach never wants to check any “facts” that he do dishes were true.
Well that makes me feel so much safer!
80% of all Tesla owners charge st home st night when rates are low. This means never or ddom ever having to stop and fuel up
Mr H, who has already told us that he’ll not be buying a plug-in electric vehicle because he’ll never buy another vehicle, wrote:
We’ll see just how long electric use stays lower overnight if too many more people are charging their Chevy Dolts at home!
Think about what you wrote, Mr H. In saying that, “This means never or (seldom) ever having to stop and fuel up,” you have concomitantly stated that EVs are practical cars for people who don’t have to drive very far. Remember: the stated range drops by around 40%, if not more, in cold winter conditions.
I have absolutely no objection to people buying whatever vehicles they believe suits their needs best, though I most certainly do object to the tax credits for buying a government-favored vehicle. The government should not be favoring any automobile manufacturer — and should be disfavoring those vehicles manufactured abroad — or particular type of vehicle; that should all be the choice of the consumer, not the government.
Dana I have never intentionally tried to imply that I will never buy another vehicle. I do think it highly unlikely that I will ever buy another NEW vehicle. As far as the possibility of me buying an EV, only if they were in the same price range as I will be willing to pay. That I don’t see happening tin the next 5 years. As far as the 405 drop in range in “cold/” weather that would seem to drop the range down to 180 miles between charges. How often would that affect you personally? How many times in a typical year might that be a problem very cold weather and a long trip with no predeparture warm up?
Tesla recommends warming up the battery by doing a predepature warmup (assumimg you don’t keep your Tesla in a garage like 80% of owners do)
Every year the percentage of Americans who live where it is often very cold drops. Right now it is about 50%. Those that live in extreme cold may/maynot be the best customer target for Tesla. But the free market (And Biden thrusting EVs down the throats of richer Americans) will determine sales. And Tesla was the #2 best selling passenger car model in the USA in2023. Most Republicans believe in Free Trade. The USA has often given tax breaks for emerging industries, and of course also for having children. The states with the least Tesla registrations per person are WY SD and ND. My guess is that ICE vehicles are also not too happy living there.
I can remember in the 60s working in construction to having to help the mechanic by having to put a torch on the oil pans of diesels to get them to crank AND ether bombs to get them to fire up
Lol
Teach. How about posting a new pic saying
“Me and the girls stopping at some sketchy convenience store to fill up and either pay in cash or risk having our plastic card skimmed”
EVs are very expensive toys period.
Bwaha! Lolgf
any new car could be called a toy, if it is not paying for itself. Any 50000$ car that is used for average mileage 1000 miles per month might cost 60$ per operating hour. An expensive car is a depreciating asset. For me, that is not something I desire. Some Teslas are now down to 14000. In 5 years when the price might be 3000, I would be considering it. IF at 80yo I felt the need to own a car.
EVs are very expensive toys period.
5 of the top 10 states with the highest per capita Tesla registrations are north of the mid point of the USA. Vermont is #4!