Electric Car Owners Beware: Why You Need to Watch Your Back!

Unique Braking Dynamics of Electric Vehicles

A study conducted by Mitchell, an American company specializing in technology for the insurance industry, highlights a striking difference in the types of accidents experienced by electric versus internal combustion engine vehicles. Electric vehicles are significantly more likely to be hit from behind, with these incidents accounting for 35.9% of their accidents compared to 27.5% for traditional vehicles. This imbalance is attributed to the “different braking dynamics” of electric vehicles. Their regenerative braking system, which slows the car as soon as the accelerator is released, can catch following drivers off guard. This “one-pedal” driving style leads to more frequent and unexpected decelerations, thereby increasing the risk of collisions.

Fewer Frontal Collisions Due to Advanced Technology

Conversely, electric vehicles are less often involved in frontal collisions. These account for 25.8% of accidents for electric vehicles, versus 31.5% for internal combustion vehicles. This observation is largely due to the technological equipment of electric vehicles, which are often newer. Systems like automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, and frontal collision avoidance significantly help reduce such accidents. Older internal combustion vehicles, which are sometimes less well equipped, thus remain more susceptible to frontal impacts.

Costly Repairs for Electric Vehicles

While rear-end collisions are generally less expensive to repair than frontal impacts, they highlight another issue for electric vehicle owners: the high cost of repairs. According to the study, in the third quarter of 2024, claims for electric vehicles averaged $5,560, compared to $4,741 for internal combustion vehicles. This difference is due to the extensive use of original parts and the complexity of electric components, especially batteries, which naturally increase the overall repair costs.

The characteristics of electric vehicles might diminish over time. Manufacturers of internal combustion vehicles are gradually adopting advanced safety technologies, which effectively narrows the gap in collision prevention. Regardless, it’s clear that drivers need to stay aware of the specific features of each vehicle type to minimize risks.