One-Pedal-Drive: This Driving Style Increases Accident Risk for Electric Cars
Electric cars are considered as safe as combustion vehicles in terms of accident frequency. However, certain accident patterns, such as unintended acceleration when starting, may be linked to One-Pedal-Drive. Recent studies indicate that electric cars cause more accidents than combustion vehicles.
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According to accident researchers, electric cars are as safe as combustion vehicles when it comes to accident frequency. However, certain accident patterns are noticeable, such as unintended acceleration when starting. This could be due to the One-Pedal-Drive.
In recent years, several studies have concluded that electric cars cause significantly more accidents than combustion vehicles. They are also reported to be more frequently involved in accidents with pedestrians and to cause greater damage.
Electric Cars as a Safe Alternative to Combustion Vehicles
Reasons for this include higher weight, faster acceleration, and lower driving noise. However, a new study from the Accident Research of Insurers in the General Association of Insurers (UDV) comes to a different conclusion. According to this study, electric cars are a "safe alternative to combustion vehicles," and drivers cause "hardly more damage."
However, accident researchers have noticed specific accident patterns where electric cars still differ from combustion vehicles. For instance, accidents between electric cars and pedestrians tend to occur at very low speeds, such as when starting from a standstill, reversing, or turning in twilight and darkness.
Artificial Driving Sounds Under Criticism
"Our investigation confirms indications that pedestrians perceive electric cars poorly in such situations," says UDV director Kirstin Zeidler. The artificial driving sounds mandated since 2021 at speeds below 20 kilometers per hour may "not be audible enough or may not be clearly associated with a car," according to Zeidler.
Furthermore, electric cars are reported to have more accidents due to a so-called vehicle misuse, especially when starting from a standstill. According to the UDV study, this primarily affects vehicles with the so-called One-Pedal-Drive. In this mode, the electric car can be largely controlled via the accelerator pedal. Acceleration occurs when drivers lower their foot, and the car slows down when they lift their foot.
Electric Car Drivers are More Often Men and Older
"The study suggests that getting used to this driving style in emergency situations can promote pedal confusion," explains Zeidler. Additionally, older age seems to exacerbate the issue. Every second person who had an accident in this manner was over 75 years old. According to the study, electric car drivers are generally older and more often male than combustion vehicle drivers.
At the same time, electric car drivers are said to drive less riskily, as revealed by the analysis of nearly 500 serious accidents, a literature review, and the accompanying online survey. Moreover, electric car drivers are generally better protected. This is partly due to the higher vehicle weight as well as the more modern safety equipment.
Higher Injury Risk Due to Heavier Electric Cars
However, accident researchers also see a problem with the higher weight difference. Because of this, in the event of an accident, there is a higher injury risk for the occupants of the lighter car.
The study authors now call for improvements in the visibility of electric cars and the prevention of pedal misuse. Additionally, there should be continuous analysis of the safety of the evolving vehicle fleet.
