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Title: NTSB chair says EVs are getting too big and heavy Post by: HCK on January 13, 2023, 04:05:04 pm NTSB chair says EVs are getting too big and heavy
<p>Electric cars tend to need extra bulk for their gigantic battery packs, and that's raising eyebrows at the National Transportation Safety Board. In a keynote speech (https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/NR20230111A.aspx), NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy said she was worried the size and weight of modern EVs could increase the risk of serious injuries and death. A Hummer EV (https://www.engadget.com/hummer-ev-first-drive-an-enormous-electric-super-truck-133030316.html) is over 9,000lbs, the board leader said, while electrified versions of vehicles like the Ford F-150 (https://www.engadget.com/ford-f-150-lightning-ev-preview-video-170103332.html) and Volvo XC40 (https://www.engadget.com/2019-10-16-volvo-xc40-ev-unveil.html) are far heavier than their gas engine equivalents.</p><p>Homendy stressed that she supported the Biden administration's environmental goals (https://www.engadget.com/biden-administration-unveils-5-billion-plan-or-ev-charging-infrastructure-133022348.html), and that transportation represented the largest contributor to American greenhouse gas emissions. She just felt that automakers had to be wary of creating "unintended consequences," such as more road fatalities.</p><span id="end-legacy-contents"></span><p>There is some data to suggest that EVs' added weight may pose a danger. Green Car Congresspointed (https://www.greencarcongress.com/2023/01/20230112-ntsb.html) to a 2021 <a href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=c6c965be-a8ea-473d-89f4-9754f2675a60&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Nature+Research&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsInN0b3JlSWQiOiJjNmM5NjViZS1hOGVhLTQ3M2QtODlmNC05NzU0ZjI2NzVhNjAiLCJsYW5kaW5nVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmF0dXJlLmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlcy9kNDE1ODYtMDIxLTAyNzYwLTgiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6IjgyMzM2OGJmLTFmMTMtNGFhZi04Y2U0LWFhNmM4YmU0YjkwZiJ9&signature=AQAAAejffdNFoVOiEDIsz7JoktoWAunNAjguJGDsm-e41xi2&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fd41586-021-02760-8" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Nature Research;elmt:">commentary[/url] in Nature where researchers calculated that the mortality costs of the F-150 Lightning's extra 700kg (1,543lbs) over the gas model 'rival' its zero-emissions benefits. The chances of passengers dying in a collision increase 12 percent with every 500kg (1,102lbs) of weight difference, the research team said. While those issues might diminish as more EVs reach the market, they could remain a problem as long as combustion engine and electric cars have to share the road.</p><p>Technical solutions might help. Scientists are already developing lighter batteries (https://www.engadget.com/2019-08-26-new-coating-lighter-lithium-metal-batteries.html), and the first EVs with denser solid-state batteries (https://www.engadget.com/nissan-solid-state-battery-ev-release-date-182025167.html) (which can achieve similar range with smaller packs) are only a few years away. While EVs with this technology are still likely to be heavier than their fossil fuel-burning counterparts, the weight reduction could improve safety in addition to range.</p> Source: NTSB chair says EVs are getting too big and heavy (https://www.engadget.com/ntsb-chair-says-evs-too-big-and-heavy-143100532.html?src=rss) |