How about electric vehicle safety?
Safety comes first.
As with any other car, safety is the top priority in the design of electric vehicles. They undergo the same crash tests and meet electric-vehicle-specific standards on top of that. Let’s address electric vehicle safety concerns related to weather, accidents, and the charging process.
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Protection from humidity.
We learn as kids that electricity and water are a dangerous combination. But you don't have to worry about plugging in your car, even if it is pouring down rain. The charging connections are designed in such a way that electricity only flows when the contact between the plug and the car is securely closed and no water can be detected. You should not hold the plug in the rain for too long: If it gets too wet, you will not get anything - not a shock, but no electricity, either. You can also drive through puddles or into the car wash without hesitation. All components of your electric car are well protected against the penetration of moisture. And during a thunderstorm, your electric car is protected like any other, thanks to the Faraday cage.
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Preserving battery power.
At low temperatures, battery performance decreases as electrical resistance increases. This means your electric car won't go quite as far. To protect the battery from even more strain, Hyundai offers a heat pump, which lets you heat the inside of your electric car much more efficiently. Another important aspect of charging electric cars in the winter is preheating while the car is plugged in. Hyundai developed a programming feature that preheats the car with main power before you get in. Not only is the car nice and warm when you need it; the heat "stored" in the passenger compartment, for example in the seats, also pays off later because less heating energy is required.
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Protection from overheating.
No harm will ever come to your electric vehicle from just being parked in the heat. But, charging may take longer and your top driving speed may be reduced. Thanks to advanced Battery Management Systems (BMS), electric cars are able to determine when the load on the batteries is getting too high. This completely avoids irreparable damage that might otherwise occur above 60 degrees Celsius. If temperatures get too high while driving, the total power provided by the battery drops and the car simply slows down. During charging, electricity is lowered to reduce the load.
Are electric cars safe in accidents?
While electric cars comply with the same standards as any other car (and some specific ones on top of those), you may have heard some rumours about the safety of electric cars in case of an accident. Let's look at the facts.
Centre of Gravity.
Electric car batteries are not only well-encapsulated; in all Hyundai models, they are located in the vehicle floor and specially protected by design. A welcome side-effect of this is that because the vehicle's centre of gravity is very low, it is less likely to roll over than a conventional car.
High-Voltage.
Electric cars must be "intrinsically safe". This means that the power flow of the battery is cut-off as soon as a defect is detected. In case of an accident, the battery is automatically disconnected from the other high-voltage components and cables within milliseconds. The 12-volt electrical system, however, continues to operate and supply the hazard warning lights, for example. This safety measure alone makes a sudden fire highly unlikely.
No flammable fuel.
While liquid fuel spilling from a petrol or diesel car might catch fire and lead to an explosion, electric car batteries are generally slow-burning and allow ample time to evacuate from a crash site.
Other frequently asked safety questions:
No. When the vehicle is locked, the central locking system includes the charging cable plugged into your car and at the station’s end. During the charging process, the cable cannot be removed on both ends.
An electric car is no bigger lightning magnet than a petrol or diesel one. In all closed cars, a Faraday cage protects you from up to one million volts of lightning. Due to the closed construction of the cars, voltage is only generated on the surface, which is then evenly dissipated into the ground. However, a lightning strike can affect the on-board electronics of any car, electric or otherwise. But as you know the probability of being hit by lightning in a moving car is extremely low.
Electromagnetic wave measurements in the driver’s and passenger seats of the cabin are very low, whether the car is standing or moving. They are comparable to an average lampstand or your TV at home.
Learn more about modern powertrains.
