Electric Vehicles vs. Gas Cars: A Comprehensive Look at Safety

While I normally report on medical advances. This is my 3rd year with a focus on the EV market. I will be attending several lectures at SEMA this year and hope to cover what I learn on TechTalk in early January.

Electric vehicles (EVs) and gas-powered cars each come with unique safety features and considerations. While both types of vehicles are equipped with extensive safety measures, EVs introduce new technology and build components that impact how they perform in terms of passenger protection, accident response, and durability. Understanding the safety features and risks of each can help drivers make informed decisions as EVs become more prevalent on the road.

1. Fire and Explosive Risks

• EVs and Battery-Related Fires: Electric vehicles are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which are highly efficient but can pose a fire risk under certain conditions. While EV fires are relatively rare, when they do occur, they can be more difficult to extinguish compared to gasoline fires due to the risk of thermal runaway, a process where the battery heats up uncontrollably. However, these incidents are uncommon, and EV manufacturers design battery casings to minimize risks by isolating each battery cell.
• Gasoline Fires: Gas-powered cars are at higher risk of fire in severe collisions or if fuel tanks rupture. Traditional fuel is highly flammable, and gasoline fires can spread quickly. Advanced engineering has improved fuel tank placement, and fuel systems in newer models are designed to cut off fuel supply in the event of a crash, helping to prevent fires.

2. Structural Safety and Crash Performance

• EVs’ Low Center of Gravity: EVs have a significant structural advantage due to the weight and placement of their battery packs, which sit low and central in the car, providing a low center of gravity. This positioning makes EVs more stable and less likely to roll over in an accident, enhancing passenger safety.
• Crashworthiness of Gas Cars: Gas cars have more traditional engine compartments that act as crumple zones, absorbing energy in a crash to protect passengers. EVs, which lack these large engine blocks, often have reinforced frames and expanded crumple zones in the front, rear, and sides, enhancing their ability to absorb impact forces.

3. Passenger Protection and Safety Features

• Advanced Safety Systems in EVs: Electric vehicles often come equipped with advanced safety features, as many EV manufacturers focus on integrating state-of-the-art technology. Features such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and 360-degree camera systems are common. Many EVs also have over-the-air updates that allow manufacturers to improve safety software remotely.
• Gas Car Safety Features: Gasoline-powered cars also come with advanced safety technologies like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking, though these features are often reserved for newer or high-end models. In terms of passive safety, gas cars have traditional airbags, seat belts, and impact crumple zones, which provide reliable passenger protection in the event of a collision.

4. Occupant Health and Air Quality

• Air Quality Inside EVs: EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, meaning occupants and nearby pedestrians are not exposed to exhaust gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons. This quality is beneficial, especially in urban areas with high traffic congestion.
• Health Risks in Gas Vehicles: Gasoline engines emit exhaust gases that contain pollutants potentially harmful to respiratory health. Although modern gas vehicles use catalytic converters and emission control systems to reduce emissions, these vehicles still produce pollutants. EVs avoid these health risks altogether by relying on electric power instead of combustion.

5. Resilience to Extreme Conditions

• EV Battery Safety in Extreme Temperatures: Batteries in EVs can be affected by extreme temperatures, which may impact their performance and efficiency. In cold climates, some EVs lose range, though battery thermal management systems help regulate temperature. In hot climates, heat management systems keep the battery cool and protect it from overheating.
• Fuel Reliability in Gas Cars: Gasoline-powered cars typically perform well across a wide range of temperatures without significant changes to performance. However, gas engines may struggle to start in very low temperatures. Gasoline itself can also be a fire hazard in extreme heat if the car is not well-maintained.

6. Emergency Response and First Responder Safety

• EV-Specific Training for First Responders: With EVs, first responders need specialized training to safely handle the high-voltage systems and potential battery fires. EV manufacturers provide first responders with guidance on how to disconnect battery systems, but this is still a newer area for emergency services to navigate.
• Standard Protocols for Gasoline Cars: First responders are experienced with gasoline vehicles, which have been around for over a century. Standardized protocols exist for managing gasoline leaks, fires, and crash extractions, which can generally be performed with traditional equipment and methods.

7. Longevity and Maintenance Safety

• EV Maintenance and Safety: EVs have fewer moving parts and generally require less maintenance than gas cars. Without oil changes, exhaust systems, or traditional transmissions, EVs face fewer mechanical failures related to these systems. However, battery replacement can be costly, and ensuring the battery’s health is essential for vehicle safety.
• Gas Car Maintenance Safety: Gas cars, though reliable, require regular maintenance to prevent malfunctions in components like fuel lines, engines, and transmissions. Proper maintenance reduces fire risks and extends the vehicle’s lifespan. However, gas cars are more complex mechanically and have more parts that may need replacing over time.

Conclusion: Which Is Safer?

Both electric and gasoline vehicles are generally safe, with each type offering unique safety advantages. EVs stand out for their stability due to the low center of gravity, advanced tech integration, and zero emissions. Gasoline-powered cars have extensive, time-tested safety protocols and offer consistent performance across various conditions.

For many drivers, the choice between EVs and gas-powered cars will depend on a balance between performance preferences, environmental considerations, and safety features. As EV technology advances, the industry is continually working to improve both the safety and efficiency of electric vehicles, potentially making them the safer option for the future.

by, Scott Kraft, Richard Berk, Medical & Automotive Safety Specialist.

Richard Berk is the Executive Producer for Utah Channel 3. Richard’s field of expertise is the medical field and covers medical conventions when he is not producing Utah Channel 3 content. Richard also shares the passion of outdoor sports as do all members of BHTV.