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.
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.