The rise of increasingly heavy electric SUVs and pick-ups is raising concerns about the effectiveness of current road safety barriers. A recent study highlights this concern, demonstrating that existing infrastructure may not be suitable for this new generation of vehicles.
The trend towards increasing vehicle size, particularly with the emergence of electric models on a larger scale, raises questions about their integration into existing infrastructure. The growing popularity of certain models such as the Model Y SUV whose weight exceeds 2 tonnes, illustrates this evolution. This reveals a marked interest in characteristics such as space and comfort, perhaps to the detriment of more practical considerations.
Faced with this rise in power of bulky vehiclessome metropolises are considering dissuasive measures. Paris, for example, will change its parking rates for models deemed too bulky. A video of theUniversity of Nebraska highlights the potential consequences of Electric SUVs on guardrails, showing that these structures could not to resist to the impact of such heavy vehicles. This highlights the urgency of rethinking the road safety standards to adapt to changes in the vehicle fleet.
The weight of electric SUVs puts a strain on our safety barriers.
During’a crash test orchestrated by engineers from the University of Nebraska, a Rivian R1T, weighing almost 4 tonspassed through a guardrail, thus revealing the limits of these structures when faced with the impact of particularly massive electric vehicles.
THE significant weight of electric SUVs, mainly due to their bulky batteries, poses a real problem for road safety. THE slidesdesigned for lighter vehicles, may not be strong enough to hold these electric colossi, endangering both drivers and other road users.
Faced with this problem, experts are calling for strengthened collaboration between transport engineers and Car manufacturers. The objective is to develop new, more resistant crash barriers capable of adapting to changes in the vehicle fleet, particularly with the rapid growth of electric vehicles.