Girl and woman standing by trunk while charging electric car at station
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Are electric vehicles safe?

By: Andrew Sheldon
Published Date:

2 Minute Read

You can’t hear them coming; they weigh more than regular cars, and then there are all those scary stories about battery fires.  

So, how safe are electric vehicles (EVs)? The answer is pretty safe.  

With safety ratings and studies to back it up, EVs are proving to be as safe as, if not safer than, traditional gas-powered vehicles. Some surveys even suggest that EVs are more crashworthy than their gas-powered counterparts. This is partly due to the weight discrepancy between the two. EVs tend to weigh more than similar gas-powered cars, mainly because of the large batteries needed to power them.  

Heavier vehicles are more likely to continue moving forward in a collision, subjecting passengers to less force and reducing the chance of injury. The weight of EV batteries, as well as their location along the bottom of the car, creates a low centre of gravity, making them more stable and reducing the likelihood of rolling over. (On the other hand, the weight of EVs can create more serious accidents, akin to a heavier SUV running afoul of a lighter commuter vehicle.)  

EV safety standards 

Every EV model available for sale in Canada must undergo rigorous safety testing and meet the same Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards as conventional vehicles. Overall, safety issues in EVs are covered by the international standard ISO 6469, which addresses onboard electrical energy, protection against failure, and electrical hazards. 

In 2023, several EVs, including the Tesla Model Y, Genesis Electrified GV70, Hyundai Ioniq 6, and Lexus RZ, earned Top Safety Pick+ Awards from the U.S.-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).  

Depending on the model, EVs also have plenty of built-in safety features for drivers. Like gas vehicles, they have airbag systems and advanced braking, as well as collision-avoidance systems, blind spot monitoring, real-time tracking for emergency response services and battery management.  

Is there a significant fire risk?  

There have been several well-publicized instances of batteries in EV cars and e-bikes bursting into flame. And while there’s no evidence to suggest EVs are more prone to fires than gas vehicles, EV battery fires are much more challenging to control because they burn hotter and spread quicker.  

Lithium-ion batteries, which power most EVs, burn at a far higher temperature than other materials, making them more difficult to extinguish. Additionally, under certain conditions, lithium-ion batteries can reignite, adding to the increased risk.  

Overall, EVs in Canada are proving to be a safe and reliable choice for consumers, with numerous safety features and rigorous testing ensuring their safety on the roads. 

This article has been adapted with permission by AAA Northeast.  

Want to learn more about EVs? www.caaneo.ca/advocacy-EV  

Know before you buy: CAA North & East Ontario content aims to be neutral and informative. Whether you’re new to EVs or looking for a replacement vehicle, it’s important to ask questions, talk to experts and do a test drive with a dealership so you can make an informed decision.