Electric Cars Twice as Likely to Hit Pedestrians, Study Reveals

As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to gain popularity and market share, it’s important to examine their impact on road safety. A recent study by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has shed light on some surprising findings regarding the safety of EVs compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. Check out these 10 key facts about EV safety that every driver and pedestrian should be aware of.

EVs Are Twice as Likely to Hit Pedestrians

One of the most shocking findings from the study is that pedestrians are twice as likely to be hit by an electric or hybrid car than by a gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicle. The study found a pedestrian casualty rate of 5.16 per 100 million miles driven for electric and hybrid vehicles, compared to just 2.4 per 100 million miles for traditional cars.

Quiet Operation May Be a Factor

Researchers hypothesize that the relatively quiet operation of electric vehicles could be a major reason for the higher pedestrian casualty rate. In noisy urban areas with high pedestrian density, the lack of engine noise may make it harder for pedestrians to detect approaching EVs.

Demographics Could Play a Role

The study also suggests that demographics may contribute to the higher accident rate for EVs. Younger, less experienced drivers are more likely to be involved in road traffic collisions and are also more likely to own an electric car, according to lead researcher Dr. Phil J. Edwards.

EVs Are Still a Small Percentage of Vehicles

Despite the higher accident rate, EVs currently account for less than 1% of vehicles on U.S. roads. This means that the overall number of human casualties associated with EVs is still much lower compared to those attributable to the fossil fuel industry.

EV Market Share Is Expected to Grow Significantly

However, bold predictions suggest that EVs could make up 60-70% of the U.S. fleet by 2050. As the number of EVs on the road increases, the higher propensity for accidents could become a significant problem if not addressed.

Driverless Cars May Offer a Solution

Autonomous driving technology could potentially mitigate the safety concerns associated with EVs. A study by Google’s Waymo found that their driverless cars were 6.7 times less likely than human drivers to be involved in a crash resulting in an injury.

Public Distrust Is a Hurdle for Autonomous Vehicles

Despite the potential safety benefits, public distrust of autonomous driving technology remains a major hurdle. A Forbes Advisor report found that 93% of U.S. citizens have concerns about some aspect of self-driving cars.

AI Could Accelerate Autonomous Driving Technology

The ongoing AI boom might help accelerate the development and adoption of autonomous driving technology, potentially lowering timelines from decades to less than a decade.

Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems Could Help

Even small steps, such as the growing adoption of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), could help make EVs safer. A McKinsey study showed that ADAS adoption in Europe could reduce the number of accidents by about 15% by 2030.

EV Drivers Must Be Extra Cautious

While the study is not meant to discourage the adoption of EVs, Dr. Edwards emphasizes that EV drivers need to be extra cautious of pedestrians. As EVs become more prevalent, it’s crucial for drivers to be aware of the potential safety risks and take appropriate precautions to mitigate them.

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