Electric Vehicle - Safety & Reliability

Crash-prevention technology

Like most new vehicles, EVs offer automatic emergency braking, cross-traffic alerts, and other features designed to reduce the risk of crashes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awards several EV models a Top Safety Pick designation. For added safety, EVs are designed to shut down their electrical system when they detect a collision or short circuit.

Low center of gravity

Most EVs are built with battery packs on the bottom. Concentrating this weight lower down gives EVs better cornering ability and prevents flipping.

See more driving differences

Fewer fires

Despite negative news stories from isolated incidents, EVs actually have the lowest risk of fire compared to gas and hybrid cars.

More about EV fires

Strict safety testing

All road vehicles in the United States undergo rigorous safety testing to meet the same Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Drivers can rest assured that EVs are just as safe as conventional gas vehicles. Electric and hybrid battery packs are encased in shells and tested against various conditions, such as overcharging, humidity, water immersion, extreme temperatures, and fire. Manufacturers are required to have safety features that deactivate or isolate the electrical system in the event of collisions or short circuits.

How reliable are EVs?

Since some EV models are new to the market, it's not surprising that some drivers experience issues with charging, electric drive motors, or other components. These reliability challenges are often tied to specific models, and will likely improve as manufacturing processes mature. Most importantly, these reliability issues do not impact vehicle safety. We recommend researching warranty coverage and reliability ratings for specific EV models prior to purchasing.

What about fires?

Despite the relatively low probability of EV fires, some local fire officials may have concerns on locating EV charging in parking structures. If you’re considering installing charging in a large parking facility, we recommend checking with your local fire chief and/or property insurance company to ensure their requirements are met. If an EV battery does catch on fire, there are specialized procedures first responders should follow to account for potential hazards.

What about winter performance?

One of the most common questions Vermonters have about EVs is, "How reliable are they in the winter?"

The short answer is that most EV models can handle all the snow, ice, and cold spells that New England will undoubtedly throw at them. However, EV drivers (or drivers interested in switching to an EV) should consider a few things during cooler months.

When temperatures drop below freezing, any vehicle—gas or electric—becomes less efficient. It also takes more energy to heat cars than it does to cool them. As a result, the battery range of EVs is often reduced by 20-30% in normal winter conditions and up to 50% in some worst case scenarios. Fortunately, the 200+ mile range of most modern EVs is enough to support the average driver's needs, even with this reduction. Drivers may need to plan to charge more frequently each week, and the shorter range should also be factored into your winter road trips.

Another factor that impacts winter performance is the specific EV model. Some EVs have features like all-wheel drive or higher clearance to help Vermonters drive with confidence in snowy or icy conditions. Heated seats and more efficient heat-pump cabin heaters on some models also increase winter efficiency.

Regardless of which model drivers choose, anyone can improve their car's performance in winter by using snow tires. Studies have shown that using winter tires to improve traction is the single most important choice people can make for safe winter driving.

Your guide to EVs in winter