How safe and reliable are electric cars?

Safety is one of the first questions people ask about electric cars. The short answer: they are at least as safe as petrol cars, but they have a few particular features worth knowing.

In crash tests

Many popular EVs, such as the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4 or Hyundai Ioniq 5, have earned the top 5-star rating in Euro NCAP tests. The low-mounted battery lowers the centre of gravity and reduces rollover risk, and the absence of an engine up front leaves more room for the crumple zone.

High voltage in a crash

The high-voltage system is designed to disconnect automatically in an impact: the contactors in the battery open and isolate the battery from the rest of the car. High-voltage cables are orange so that firefighters and mechanics can recognise them easily.

Fire risk

Data from Sweden shows that electric cars catch fire much less often than petrol and diesel cars, per vehicle. When it does happen, though, a battery fire is harder to extinguish and can reignite. Most cases are linked to battery damage in accidents or to makeshift repairs.

Pedestrians and noise

Because EVs are very quiet at low speed, European rules require new electric and hybrid cars to emit a warning sound for pedestrians at low speeds.

Reliability

• Fewer moving parts means fewer classic mechanical faults.
• The faults that do occur are more often electronic or software-related: the on-board charger, DC-DC converter, sensors, the 12 V battery.
• The traction battery rarely fails, but it needs protecting from heat and full discharges. See charging tips.
• Toyota and Lexus hybrid systems are known for reliability, and problems mostly appear in the hybrid battery and its cooling after many years.