Are electric vehicles safer for pedestrians than petrol cars according to the University of Leeds study?

Yes, the University of Leeds study found that electric vehicles (EVs) pose no greater risk to pedestrians than traditional petrol and diesel cars.

Do heavier EVs cause more severe injuries to pedestrians in crashes?

No, the study found no significant difference in the severity of pedestrian injuries when involving an EV compared to a non-electric car, despite EVs being heavier.

What did the University of Leeds research reveal about EV road safety?

The research revealed that EVs have similar pedestrian casualty rates and injury severities to conventional vehicles, dispelling fears about their safety.

Home / Science / EVs No More Dangerous Than Petrol Cars

EVs No More Dangerous Than Petrol Cars

9 Dec

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Summary

EVs pose no greater risk to pedestrians than conventional cars.
Pedestrian injury severity is similar in EV and non-EV collisions.
Newer safety tech in EVs may mitigate risks, study suggests.

A comprehensive study by the University of Leeds has concluded that electric vehicles (EVs) do not present a greater risk to pedestrians than their combustion engine counterparts. Despite EVs typically being heavier due to battery packs, research analyzing UK crash data between 2019 and 2023 found no significant differences in pedestrian casualty rates or injury severity. This suggests that concerns about the increased weight of EVs are unfounded.

Professor Zia Wadud, leading the research, expressed hope that these findings will alleviate public and policymaker concerns. The study addressed two main worries: that EVs' quiet operation might increase collisions and that their weight could cause more severe pedestrian injuries. The results indicated neither fear materialized, partly attributed to advanced safety technologies in newer EVs that help prevent accidents or reduce impact.