New Electric Vehicle Safety Tests Reveal Performance Results
September 17, 2023 — The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) announced results of its latest electric vehicle safety tests, revealing performance insights.
In collision tests simulating head-on crashes at 40 mph, four out of seven vehicles — the BMW i4, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Tesla Cybertruck, and Volkswagen ID.Buzz — received “good” ratings, the highest available. The Tesla Model 3 achieved an “acceptable” rating, while the Nissan Ariya and Ford F-150 Lightning scored lower.
According to IIHS, the Nissan Ariya was rated “marginal” due to elevated chest injury risks for backseat passengers. The Ford F-150 Lightning received a “poor” rating; tests indicated a high risk of injuries to rear-seat occupants, as seatbelts failed to maintain optimal position.
“Most people think bigger is better… but the F-150 Lightning, while structurally sound, did not protect the rear seat position adequately,” said IIHS Vice President Raul Arbelaez.
The testing also examined pedestrian crash avoidance systems, where most vehicles performed well, including top scorers BMW, Ford, and Tesla. Five of the seven vehicles earned “acceptable” ratings for headlights; however, the BMW and Cybertruck received “poor” ratings.
Automaker Responses
In response to the test results, Ford stated that safety is a priority and highlighted the upgrades made to the F-150 Lightning. “We are always working to continuously improve,” the company emphasized.
Nissan affirmed its commitment to safety, stating it would evaluate the results and collaborate with IIHS on safety matters. Tesla and BMW did not provide a comment.