Electric car owners beware: Why you need to be on your guard!

Unique braking dynamics of electric vehicles

A study by Mitchell, an American company specializing in technology for the insurance industry, shows a striking difference in the type of accidents between electric and 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 conventional 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 pedal is released, can surprise following drivers. This “one-pedal” driving style results in more frequent and unexpected deceleration, thereby increasing the risk of collisions.

Fewer frontal collisions thanks to advanced technology

Conversely, electric vehicles are less likely to be involved in head-on collisions. These are responsible for 25.8% of accidents involving electric vehicles, compared to 31.5% for combustion engine vehicles. This observation is largely due to this technical equipment of electric vehicles, which are often newer. Systems such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and frontal collision avoidance go a long way to reducing such accidents. Older vehicles with combustion engines, some of which are less well equipped, therefore remain more susceptible to frontal collisions.

Costly electric vehicle repairs

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

The characteristics of electric vehicles can deteriorate over time. Internal combustion engine vehicle manufacturers are gradually introducing advanced safety technologies, effectively closing the gap in collision prevention. No matter, that’s clear Drivers must be aware of the specific characteristics of each type of vehicle to minimize risks.