The potential harms of heavy fast accelerating EVs
Discussion
Snippets posted from yesterday's article about concerns in the USA ->
"The head of the National Transportation Safety Board expressed concern Wednesday about the safety risks that heavy electric vehicles pose if they collide with lighter vehicles.
The official, Jennifer Homendy, raised the issue in a speech in Washington to the Transportation Research Board. She noted, by way of example, that an electric GMC Hummer weighs about 9,000 pounds (4,000 kilograms), with a battery pack that alone is 2,900 pounds (1,300 kilograms)—roughly the entire weight of a typical Honda Civic.
'I'm concerned about the increased risk of severe injury and death for all road users from heavier curb weights and increasing size, power, and performance of vehicles on our roads, including electric vehicles,' Homendy said in remarks prepared for the group.
Brooks said he knows of little research done on the safety risks of increasing vehicle weights. In 2011, the National Bureau of Economic Research published a paper that said being hit by a vehicle with an added 1,000 pounds increases by 47% the probability of being killed in a crash.
He points out that electric vehicles have very high horsepower ratings, allowing them to accelerate quickly even in crowded urban areas. 'People are not trained to handle that type of acceleration. It's just not something that drivers are used to doing,' Brooks said."
Source: https://techxplore.com/news/2023-01-posed-heavy-el...
"The head of the National Transportation Safety Board expressed concern Wednesday about the safety risks that heavy electric vehicles pose if they collide with lighter vehicles.
The official, Jennifer Homendy, raised the issue in a speech in Washington to the Transportation Research Board. She noted, by way of example, that an electric GMC Hummer weighs about 9,000 pounds (4,000 kilograms), with a battery pack that alone is 2,900 pounds (1,300 kilograms)—roughly the entire weight of a typical Honda Civic.
'I'm concerned about the increased risk of severe injury and death for all road users from heavier curb weights and increasing size, power, and performance of vehicles on our roads, including electric vehicles,' Homendy said in remarks prepared for the group.
Brooks said he knows of little research done on the safety risks of increasing vehicle weights. In 2011, the National Bureau of Economic Research published a paper that said being hit by a vehicle with an added 1,000 pounds increases by 47% the probability of being killed in a crash.
He points out that electric vehicles have very high horsepower ratings, allowing them to accelerate quickly even in crowded urban areas. 'People are not trained to handle that type of acceleration. It's just not something that drivers are used to doing,' Brooks said."
Source: https://techxplore.com/news/2023-01-posed-heavy-el...
I've thought about it and concluded that it's idiotic scaremongering.
EVs are a bit heavier than ICE equivalents, e.g. a petrol Hummer is still an obscenely fat knacker. And some EVs are nippy, but loads of them aren't. E.g. a Leaf. No one would mistake a Leaf for a performance car. On the other hand the performance of bog standard run-about cars in general, irrespective of their engine types, has increased significantly over the last 20 years, and yet we're not all dead.
So I'd hazard a guess that those expressing serious concern are either thick, or seeking publicity either as part of a political career or because they are effectively lobbyists.
EVs are a bit heavier than ICE equivalents, e.g. a petrol Hummer is still an obscenely fat knacker. And some EVs are nippy, but loads of them aren't. E.g. a Leaf. No one would mistake a Leaf for a performance car. On the other hand the performance of bog standard run-about cars in general, irrespective of their engine types, has increased significantly over the last 20 years, and yet we're not all dead.
So I'd hazard a guess that those expressing serious concern are either thick, or seeking publicity either as part of a political career or because they are effectively lobbyists.
ATG said:
I've thought about it and concluded that it's idiotic scaremongering.
EVs are a bit heavier than ICE equivalents, e.g. a petrol Hummer is still an obscenely fat knacker. And some EVs are nippy, but loads of them aren't. E.g. a Leaf. No one would mistake a Leaf for a performance car. On the other hand the performance of bog standard run-about cars in general, irrespective of their engine types, has increased significantly over the last 20 years, and yet we're not all dead.
So I'd hazard a guess that those expressing serious concern are either thick, or seeking publicity either as part of a political career or because they are effectively lobbyists.
My Leaf is quick to about 40, not much ICE beats it off the line instant torque and no lag or gears to worry about. After 40 not so much!EVs are a bit heavier than ICE equivalents, e.g. a petrol Hummer is still an obscenely fat knacker. And some EVs are nippy, but loads of them aren't. E.g. a Leaf. No one would mistake a Leaf for a performance car. On the other hand the performance of bog standard run-about cars in general, irrespective of their engine types, has increased significantly over the last 20 years, and yet we're not all dead.
So I'd hazard a guess that those expressing serious concern are either thick, or seeking publicity either as part of a political career or because they are effectively lobbyists.
Minsky said:
ATG said:
I've thought about it and concluded that it's idiotic scaremongering.
This. Not that it will stop the anti EV crowd piling in. We’ve already had someone post about the acceleration “issue”.Will have to add this to the anti EV bingo card.
Ten years of having EV's on the road have the stats increased? Nope...
And I love that the article concludes 'people are just not used to the speed'. Well people once we're not used to more than a horse, people get used to new things.
I'm an avid IC/EV car enthusiast but the idea of an old gimmer in a a powerful EV doing the confused pressed the wrong pedal type accident and launching it through the bus queue or Costa's window is a potential risk and simply a matter of time. 
Newspapers have various examples. Daily Wail but lets change that Fiesta for a Tesla!
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2638748/E...
When it was a lightweight Fiesta or Honda Jazz people could react, get out of the way and it had less energy and did less damage.
A ton+ of EV launching itself at warp 9 into Waitrose is going to be tricky.
We know they accelerate very quickly, it's well advertised and impressive.
In the posted example a 4x4 EV would probably have kept going well into the shop with subsequent carnage.
Newspapers have various examples. Daily Wail but lets change that Fiesta for a Tesla!
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2638748/E...
When it was a lightweight Fiesta or Honda Jazz people could react, get out of the way and it had less energy and did less damage.
A ton+ of EV launching itself at warp 9 into Waitrose is going to be tricky.
We know they accelerate very quickly, it's well advertised and impressive.
In the posted example a 4x4 EV would probably have kept going well into the shop with subsequent carnage.
Edited by peterperkins on Thursday 12th January 08:08
peterperkins said:
I'm an avid IC/EV car enthusiast but the idea of an old gimmer in a a powerful EV doing the confused pressed the wrong pedal type accident and launching it through the bus queue or Costa's window is a potential risk and simply a matter of time.
Newspapers have various examples. Daily Wail but lets change that Fiesta for a Tesla!
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2638748/E...
When it was a lightweight Fiesta or Honda Jazz people could react, get out of the way and it had less energy and did less damage.
A ton+ of EV launching itself at warp 9 into Waitrose is going to be tricky.
In the posted example a 4x4 EV would probably have kept going well into the shop with subsequent carnage.
Except that modern cars are well equipped with AEB and other accident avoidance equipment meaning this sort of accident doesn't happen...Newspapers have various examples. Daily Wail but lets change that Fiesta for a Tesla!
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2638748/E...
When it was a lightweight Fiesta or Honda Jazz people could react, get out of the way and it had less energy and did less damage.
A ton+ of EV launching itself at warp 9 into Waitrose is going to be tricky.
In the posted example a 4x4 EV would probably have kept going well into the shop with subsequent carnage.
peterperkins said:
I'm an avid IC/EV car enthusiast but the idea of an old gimmer in a a powerful EV doing the confused pressed the wrong pedal type accident and launching it through the bus queue or Costa's window is a potential risk and simply a matter of time.
Newspapers have various examples. Daily Wail but lets change that Fiesta for a Tesla!
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2638748/E...
When it was a lightweight Fiesta or Honda Jazz people could react, get out of the way and it had less energy and did less damage.
A ton+ of EV launching itself at warp 9 into Waitrose is going to be tricky.
In the posted example a 4x4 EV would probably have kept going well into the shop with subsequent carnage.
How does the weight of a vehicle accelerating at x m/s² affect how quickly people can react and get out of the way?Newspapers have various examples. Daily Wail but lets change that Fiesta for a Tesla!
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2638748/E...
When it was a lightweight Fiesta or Honda Jazz people could react, get out of the way and it had less energy and did less damage.
A ton+ of EV launching itself at warp 9 into Waitrose is going to be tricky.
In the posted example a 4x4 EV would probably have kept going well into the shop with subsequent carnage.
Clue: I doesn't
sociopath said:
How does the weight of a vehicle accelerating at x m/s² affect how quickly people can react and get out of the way?
Clue: I doesn't
A Jazz or Fiesta will accelerate more slowly than an EV when the pedal is mashed so therefore people have more time to react and get out of the way. Clue: I doesn't
But you knew what I meant.
peterperkins said:
sociopath said:
How does the weight of a vehicle accelerating at x m/s² affect how quickly people can react and get out of the way?
Clue: I doesn't
A Jazz or Fiesta will accelerate more slowly than an EV when the pedal is mashed so therefore people have more time to react and get out of the way. Clue: I doesn't
But you knew what I meant.
In other news big heavy trucks are big and heavy
ATG said:
I've thought about it and concluded that it's idiotic scaremongering.
EVs are a bit heavier than ICE equivalents, e.g. a petrol Hummer is still an obscenely fat knacker. And some EVs are nippy, but loads of them aren't. E.g. a Leaf. No one would mistake a Leaf for a performance car. On the other hand the performance of bog standard run-about cars in general, irrespective of their engine types, has increased significantly over the last 20 years, and yet we're not all dead.
So I'd hazard a guess that those expressing serious concern are either thick, or seeking publicity either as part of a political career or because they are effectively lobbyists.
Meh I think he's making a valid point. If you read his quote, he's talking about all vehicles not just EVs, but EVs make that problem worse since they are heavier than the equivalent ICE and (much) faster.EVs are a bit heavier than ICE equivalents, e.g. a petrol Hummer is still an obscenely fat knacker. And some EVs are nippy, but loads of them aren't. E.g. a Leaf. No one would mistake a Leaf for a performance car. On the other hand the performance of bog standard run-about cars in general, irrespective of their engine types, has increased significantly over the last 20 years, and yet we're not all dead.
So I'd hazard a guess that those expressing serious concern are either thick, or seeking publicity either as part of a political career or because they are effectively lobbyists.
If you still think he's talking rubbish, maybe you can take a look at the size of the top 3 selling vehicles over there and tell me how that's sensible.
Then think- in a few years, those will inevitably be electrified, weigh ~25% more and do 0-60 in 4 seconds.
OutInTheShed said:
It might be interesting when EVs work their way down the market to hooligan boy racers?
Usually more interested in making noise than going anywhere very quickly IME so might not hold quite the same appeal? I imagine insurance costs will be rather restrictive on the really quick stuff also.Might just be me but the boy racer thing in general seems to have been steadily dying off over the past decade? Gen Z just don't seem as interested in cars?
peterperkins said:
I'm an avid IC/EV car enthusiast but the idea of an old gimmer in a a powerful EV doing the confused pressed the wrong pedal type accident and launching it through the bus queue or Costa's window is a potential risk and simply a matter of time.
That brings to mind the TG episode where they "designed" a car for oldies, including a squeaky toy taped to the underside of the brake pedal to help with hitting the right one!Edited by peterperkins on Thursday 12th January 08:08
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