Electric car & vehicle safety check guide

How safe are electric cars? 

You may be surprised to know that e-cars and standard petrol or diesel cars are relatively similar where safety is concerned. While there are very high electric vehicle safety standards in place, there are several issues that are unique to EVs. 

You may be wondering if your EV would be safe in a flood, or you might be researching electric car charging safety precautions. Whatever the scenario, you'll want to make sure you have as much information about your EV as possible. 

Are electric cars safe in accidents?

Electric cars are just as safe as a standard petrol or diesel car when it comes to accidents. However, there are some concerns that are emerging as e-cars become more popular. There is a particular anxiety with electric car battery safety and electric vehicle high voltage safety. 

EVs have high voltage lithium-ion batteries, which can spontaneously combust and produce toxic smoke. However, e-car fires are rare. They have a 0.03% chance of igniting, compared to an internal combustion engine's 1.5% chance. 

Are electric cars safe in floods?

It's natural to worry about driving your electric vehicle in a flood, after all we're taught from a young age that electricity and water don't mix. Luckily, electric vehicle safety standards are quite high, and water doesn't pose as much of a risk as you'd think. 

EV systems and battery packs have been designed to be relatively safe in water, even if they're fully submerged. The high voltage battery is isolated from the chassis, so the risk of electrocution is relatively low. An electric vehicle that is fully submerged won't electrify the water around it. 

Are electric cars dangerous to pedestrians? 

Electric cars have been predicted to overtake standard cars in sales for the first time in history. This is great for the environment, but they do pose an increased risk to pedestrians, mainly because electric cars are silent. 

The familiar green cross code teaches us to stop, look and listen, when crossing the road. Electric vehicles pose a particular risk to pedestrians because they emit no sound. In fact, they are 40% more likely to hit a pedestrian than standard cars. They pose a particular risk to the blind, guide dogs, and even cyclists. 

Can electric cars electrocute you? 

Electric cars have high voltage systems, and a lot of people worry about the possibility of getting a nasty shock. However, e-cars feature several protective features, such as sensors and circuit breakers, which are designed to protect you. Electric cars don't pose a risk of electrocution, unless in the rare occurrence that the ORANGE, high voltage cables are exposed.  

How safe are electric car batteries? 

Electric vehicles are powered by high voltage, lithium-ion batteries. While manufacturers are more than happy to share the great environmental positives that come from owning an electric car, they often fail to mention the potential risks. Here are some of the downsides to lithium-ion batteries: 

• Overheating
• Flammability 
• Short life spans
• Toxicity 

Fortunately, there are certain steps you can take to maintain electric vehicle battery safety, such as making sure you don't overcharge your battery, and minimising rapid charging. 

Is it safe to charge an electric car in the rain? 

It's perfectly safe to charge your electric car in the rain, as well as a variety of other weather conditions. They're weatherproof, which means they'll protect you from any electric shocks. Electric cars are engineered to be functional and practical.

Is it safe to charge an electric car in my garage? 

According to the AA, charging your electric car in your garage is perfectly safe. You just need to speak to a qualified installer to make sure your garage is set up with the correct wiring and power access for an EV charger. Always make sure you read your electric vehicle charging safety guidelines to be sure. 

Are electric cars safer than regular cars? 

Electric cars are just as safe as petrol or diesel-powered cars. Some have suggested that they may actually be safer; they have fewer moving parts, and they don't produce hazardous carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. 

Electric car vs regular car accident statistics

Research conducted by Lex Autolease, the UK's leading vehicle leasing provider, found that electric cars are about half as likely to be involved in an accident as petrol or diesel cars. However, they also found that less than half of all UK drivers would consider getting an e-vehicle. 

A crash study conducted in Norway found that the EV crash statistic rose from zero to 3.11% between 2011 and 2018. They also found that EVs are much more likely to collide with cyclists and pedestrians than standard petrol or diesel cars. 

What are the potential electric car safety issues? 

With rising fuel costs and concerns about the environment, Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular. Despite their popularity, car owners are becoming aware of several inconveniences. Some safety risks include: 

• Risk of fire
• Cyber security threats
• Silent drive issues
• Vehicle range issues 
• High voltage components

What safety checks should I take with electric vehicles? 

Safety precautions for electric vehicles are pretty similar to those for a standard petrol or diesel vehicle. As with standard cars, you should ensure that your electric vehicle is in good working order before a long journey. Here are some electric car safety steps you can take for your next journey: 

Planning your journey: 

Read the owner's manual

An EV owner's manual has important information and instructions about operational maintenance and safety. There should also be information about charging your EV and information about range and charging duration, which should be valuable when planning your journey. 

Buy safety essentials

It goes without saying that some journeys may not go as expected. Taking the time to plan for any eventuality with your EV road trip is paramount to staying safe. A first aid kit, windscreen cover, bottle of water, hand sanitiser and electric battery pack, for example, will serve you well on a long journey. 

Plan your charging stops 

EV charging points are growing at a substantial rate, with zap-map estimating a rise of around 335% between 2016 and 2022. Even so, you should always plan your route around charging stops and be mindful of the range of your electric car. 

Install any necessary apps

There are a number of apps that have been launched to support EV drivers and help them find charging points and even track the performance of their vehicles. Apps such as Bonnet and Instavolt allow users to find and pay for a charge, while monitoring your usage over time. 

Take out breakdown cover

Breakdown cover isn't mandatory, but it's definitely advisable. Even if you have a brand-new electric vehicle, something can still go wrong when you're on the road. Having sufficient breakdown cover gives you the peace of mind in knowing that you're covered if the unexpected happens. 

Ensure you are fully insured 

Car insurance is a legal requirement for all motorists. Buying car insurance gives you financial protection if something unfortunate happens on the road, such as an accident. In the case of an electric vehicle, you may also want to make sure your battery is covered for accidental damage or fire. 

Before your journey: 

Fully charge your car battery 

As you would with any journey, you should make sure you have enough fuel or charge to get where you need to go. With the average charge lasting around 200 miles, it's always best to plan your journey around extra charge points, should you need them. 

Ensure tyres are fully inflated

Your EV tyres are under increased pressure because of the increased weight of your vehicle from your battery. Keeping your tyres fully inflated not only prolongs the life of your tread, but it also improves fuel efficiency too.

Ensure fluids are correctly topped up 

There are far fewer moving parts in an electric car, which is why there is no need for a regular oil change. However, your EV will require a routine check on three fluids to make sure everything is running smoothly: coolant, brake fluid and windscreen washer fluid.  

Check your visibility 

It goes without saying that visibility is paramount to a safe journey in any vehicle. Can you see clearly through your windscreen and mirrors? If it's cold out, you'll also want to check that your vehicle is properly demisted and de-iced before you start your journey. 

Check your brakes 

Checking your brakes is an important safety precaution. Test your brakes and brake lights to make sure everything is in good working order. They should not feel spongy or slack, and the foot pedal should feel firmer the more you push. 

Pack any necessary charging cables 

Getting to grips with a charging cable is a necessary part of electric car ownership. While most EV charging cables are compatible with most charge points, you may have a different vehicle plug on your EV. It might be worth having more than one charging cable for your EV, to avoid getting caught out on a long journey. 

Remember to bring your access card 

Electric car charging cards provide access to public charging points around the UK. They are, however, increasingly being replaced by smartphone apps. If you forget your card, don't worry, you can use contactless to pay. Just remember to pack your phone charger in case there's an emergency.

What should I do if I have an accident in an electric vehicle?

Despite the coronavirus lockdown, there were over 91,000 road traffic accidents in the UK in 2020. Although car manufacturers have made progress in improving vehicle safety, a bad crash in an electric car can still result in the car catching fire. We have a comprehensive guide, but here is a summary of the steps you need to take if you do have an accident. 

1. Stop the car as soon as possible
2. Make sure you and your passengers are okay 
3. Call 999 if anyone is seriously injured
4. Try to remain calm
5. Exchange details with anyone involved
6. Take note of the scene of the accident 
7. Call our Personal Injury Advisors to see if we can help