An electrical small SUV, the 2023 Kia EV6 captured prime security honors from engineers on the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security. A number of different EVs gained security recognition, too.
Pictures: IIHS, Rivian, Audi/Canva
Electrical automobiles (EVs) have been gaining reputation with fleet operators for a while now. Environmental considerations are one motive. Analysis exhibits that 75% of the 200 largest U.S. fleet operators — accountable for about 1.2 million automobiles — have dedicated to decarbonization targets for public fleets, and plenty of are beginning to make investments, based on McKinsey & Firm.
Nonetheless, security is one other good motive for fleets to think about EVs. The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) ran an early insurance coverage evaluation for EVs versus similar typical automobiles and located some key advantages.
“Electrical automobiles are proving to be safer for occupants than similar typical automobiles,” mentioned Joseph Younger, director of media relations for IIHS/HLDI. “In a current examine of insurance coverage knowledge, the Freeway Loss Information Institute (HLDI) discovered that charges of damage insurance coverage claims for EVs had been about 40% decrease than these of similar typical automobiles. That is doubtless as a result of electrical automobiles are heavier than typical ones, and that further weight supplies advantages to these inside in a multi-vehicle crash.”
Younger notes, nevertheless, that the additional weight of an EV might be detrimental to the opposite car in such a crash state of affairs. However clearly, EVs are turning out to be as much as snuff in terms of exacting security requirements.
For instance, in 2022 the IIHS acknowledged a number of EVs with its famend security awards, giving them the vote of confidence automakers and fleet operators hunt down. Among the particular EVs that earned the coveted accolades are additionally fashions which have gained favor with fleets.
Here’s a roundup of EVs that aren’t solely saving the setting, however may additionally save lives.
2023 Kia EV6
An electrical small SUV, the 2023 Kia EV6 captured a High Security Decide+ award from the IIHS. The arrival of the EV6 in 2022 — the model’s first devoted battery electrical car (BEV) — signaled the U.S. launch of Kia’s “Plan S” technique, which goals to ship 14 all-new electrified fashions internationally by 2027, based on the producer.
To earn both of the Institute’s two awards in 2022, a car needed to rating good rankings in six IIHS crashworthiness evaluations, together with the driver-side small overlap entrance, passenger-side small overlap entrance, reasonable overlap entrance, unique facet, roof energy, and head restraint exams.
It additionally have to be accessible with a entrance crash prevention system that earns superior or superior rankings in each the vehicle-to-vehicle and daytime vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations.
Lastly, to seize “plus” standing, good or acceptable headlights have to be customary throughout all trims.
The Kia EV6 met each criterion for the IIHS prime tier security award. After acing the six crashworthiness exams, the EV scored a superior ranking for accessible entrance crash prevention — in each vehicle-to-vehicle and daytime vehicle-to-pedestrian exams.
What’s extra, all trims include good-rated LED reflector headlights. Nonetheless, a number of the earliest 2023 fashions bought require an adjustment to the headlights to qualify for the award. Kia notified the affected prospects by letter, providing to make the adjustment freed from cost at its affiliated dealerships.
In accordance with the automaker, the EV6 is rated at an EPA-estimated 310-miles of all-electric vary (AER) in its Wind and GT-Line RWD trims and gives options resembling an Onboard Energy Generator and a flat-floor inside that makes use of revolutionary supplies all through the cabin. The EV6 additionally gives a big selection of superior driver help techniques, including a complicated stage of connectivity and different options.
Volvo: A number of Fashions
The 2022 Volvo V90 Cross Nation is one in every of 13 automobiles from the producer that gained High Security Decide+ Awards in 2022 from IIHS.
Volvo Vehicles earned a whopping 13 High Security Decide+ awards from IIHS. Reaching the very best ranking from IIHS for each mannequin examined, together with the fully-electric C40 Recharge, Volvo was probably the most awarded model as of April 2022.
The model’s High Security Decide+ honorees for 2022 had been:
- Volvo C40 Recharge
- Volvo XC40
- Volvo XC40 Recharge
- Volvo S60
- Volvo S60 Recharge
- Volvo S90
- Volvo S90 Recharge
- Volvo V60 Cross Nation
- Volvo V90 Cross Nation
- Volvo XC60
- Volvo XC60 Recharge
- Volvo XC90
- Volvo XC90 Recharge
Volvo ensures that security techniques resembling computerized emergency braking, ahead collision warning, pedestrian, and bicycle owner detection are customary in all of its automobiles
2022-23 Rivian R1T
A brand new electrical giant pickup, the 2022-23 Rivian R1T additionally snagged prime security honors from IIHS. As a High Security Decide+ winner, the Rivian R1T aced all six crashworthiness exams, incomes good scores throughout the board.
As well as, the crew cab pickup met all the opposite necessities for the higher-tier award. For instance, all trims include good-rated LED projector headlights and a typical entrance crash prevention system that earned superior rankings in each the vehicle-to-vehicle and daytime vehicle-to-pedestrian exams.
2022 and 2023 Audi This autumn e-tron and This autumn Sportback
Two electrical midsize luxurious SUVs from Audi rolled away with High Security Decide+ awards, too. Each 2022 and 2023 mannequin 12 months This autumn e-tron and This autumn Sportback fashions met the necessities for the very best security honors.
All fashions include a typical entrance crash prevention system that earned a superior ranking within the vehicle-to-vehicle analysis and a complicated ranking within the daytime vehicle-to-pedestrian take a look at. The 2 electrical SUVs are additionally accessible with good-rated LED projector headlights and acceptable-rated LED reflector headlights, relying on the trim stage.
The This autumn e-tron additionally gives cargo area corresponding to that of the best-selling Audi Q5, notes the producer. A number of customary security and driver help options are included just like the Audi pre sense, Audi facet help with rear cross site visitors help, and lane departure warning techniques. These techniques, together with a strong battery construction, are designed to offer drivers and passengers alike another excuse to go electrical confidently and to take action seamlessly, says the automaker.
2023 Genesis GV60 and 2023 Genesis Electrified G8
In 2022, two EVs from Genesis additionally took prime honors from the IIHS. Each the 2023 Genesis GV60, a brand new electrical small SUV, and the 2023 Genesis Electrified G8, a brand new electrical giant luxurious automotive, handed the six crash exams with good scores.
Furthermore, each EVs characteristic customary entrance crash prevention techniques that earned superior rankings in each the vehicle-to-vehicle and daytime vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations. As for headlights, the GV60 boasts good-rated LED projector headlights which might be customary throughout all trims. Within the case of the Electrified G80, all trims include acceptable-rated LED projector headlights.
Transferring Ahead
When selecting EVs sooner or later, fleet operators ought to all the time hold security top-of-mind. Fleets contemplating electrical automobiles ought to take a look at most of the identical issues that they might take a look at with typical automobiles, notes Younger.
“This contains evaluating crash take a look at and crash avoidance rankings, in addition to buying as a lot crash avoidance expertise as attainable,” he says. “Tech like computerized emergency braking, good headlights, lane departure warning, and rear-cross site visitors alert are all confirmed to chop crashes.”
