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Guardrails Can't Stop EVs In A Crash And That's A Huge Problem
Guardrails Can't Stop EVs In A Crash And That's A Huge Problem

Yahoo

time17-07-2025

  • Automotive
  • Yahoo

Guardrails Can't Stop EVs In A Crash And That's A Huge Problem

A viral video made headlines, including ours, showing a 2022 Rivian R1T smashing through a guardrail as though it were made of wet paper towels during a University of Nebraska-Lincoln test. This brought a great deal of attention to the fact that electric vehicles are heavy and going to kill us all. Certainly, the Rivian's weight of 7,173 pounds was a factor in the guardrail's ineffectiveness at stopping such a brute. However, an investigation by The Drive shows that the lower center of gravity that most EVs have plays a significant role as well. According to Cody Stolle, the assistant director of the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility, where the test took place, such tests typically use a 2,400-pound subcompact sedan, representing the low end of vehicle weight, and a 5,000-lb pickup truck, typically a Ram 1500, on the high end. The Rivian weighs almost as much as these two vehicles combined. While certainly an outlier for how these tests have been conducted up until now, the proliferation of EVs on the road means more and more heavy vehicles, thanks to their massive battery packs. However, many configurations of the Ford Super Duty and other heavy-duty versions of traditional pickups are even heavier than the Rivian R1T. Why aren't stories about them slicing through guardrails and running over puppies all over the daily news? Read more: 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Is All About Big Numbers Low Riders Weight is one thing, but where that weight is located on the car plays a significant role as well. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln ran the same guardrail crash test on a Tesla Model 3. It weighs 3,838 lbs, almost the same as the low-slung Ford Mustang GT Fastback with a manual transmission. While Mustangs have a reputation for plowing into crowds, it's been proven that guardrails will stop them. The Tesla, however, went right through the guardrail just like the Rivian, despite being almost half the weight. EVs typically place their large, heavy battery packs at the bottom of the car. This improves handling and performance, and moves the overall center of gravity five to eight inches lower than traditional fossil fuel-powered vehicles. The heavy engines and transmissions of gas guzzlers sit higher in the car than an EV's battery pack. Effectively, an EV's lower center of gravity transfers most of its impact force into the guardrail's lower supports, not the structure that is designed to absorb impacts. That's why the Tesla went under the guardrail rather than straight into it. The problem is now twofold. Larger EVs weigh more than guardrails can handle, but all EVs have a lower center of gravity that transfers most of the impact force to guardrails in a different place than they are designed to be hit. The cost of upgrading our infrastructure to handle both EVs and traditional vehicles will be immense. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.

Guardrail pierces through car in I-5 crash near Everett, WA
Guardrail pierces through car in I-5 crash near Everett, WA

Yahoo

time26-05-2025

  • Yahoo

Guardrail pierces through car in I-5 crash near Everett, WA

The Brief A guardrail pierced through a car in a crash on southbound I-5 near Everett on Monday morning. Memorial Day marks the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer on the road. EVERETT, Wash. - A guardrail pierced through a car in a crash that happened on I-5 near Everett Monday morning. What they're saying According to the Everett Fire Department (EFD), the crash happened just before 7:30 a.m. on southbound I-5, north of Exit 189. When crews arrived, they found a guardrail had pierced the front of the car all the way through to the back window. The driver was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The Washington State Patrol is leading the investigation into the crash. Big picture view The time between Memorial Day and Labor Day marks the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer on U.S. roadways. What you can do The EFD shared several safety tips to help the public avoid serious crashes: Slow down and follow the speed limit. Keep appropriate space between vehicles. Use your turn signals. Keep your eyes on the road. Put the cell phone down while driving. If you're feeling tired, pull over to rest. Always wear your seatbelt. Drive sober. Be patient and courteous. The Source Information in this story comes from a social media post by the Everett Fire Department. Sweltering weather in store for Seattle this week Motorcyclist killed, driver arrested after Puyallup crash Mom of slain Idaho victim Xana Kernodle asks for help attending Bryan Kohberger trial Seattle Memorial Day weekend 2025: Your guide to events, traffic, more Tears, heartbreak at Chase Jones sentencing—teen in fatal Renton, WA crash Seattle police make arrests at counterprotest to 'Mayday USA' event in Capitol Hill Tree-sitter enters third week in WA's Olympic Foothills to halt logging Free housing for a felon? Kirkland, WA neighbors concerned over homeless hotel plans To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.

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