TL;DR
Researchers at the University of Leeds analyzed UK road safety data from 2014–2023 and found pedestrian casualty rates for electric and hybrid vehicles were statistically similar to those for conventional cars from 2019–2023. The researchers note a drop in casualties around 2019 after the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) was introduced but say more investigation is needed.
What happened
A team led by Zia Wadud at the University of Leeds examined British government road safety records spanning 2014 to 2023 and reported in Nature that pedestrian casualty rates involving electric and hybrid vehicles aligned with those for internal combustion engine cars from 2019 onward. The authors observed a decline in casualties for electrified vehicles in 2019, coinciding with rollout of the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS), a low-speed sound alert intended to warn pedestrians. Wadud and colleagues considered two main concerns: that quieter operation could raise collision counts and that heavier battery packs could increase injury severity. Their analysis did not support either worry for the 2019–2023 period. The paper contrasts with an earlier London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine study that found higher pedestrian injury odds for electric and hybrid vehicles. The Leeds team calls for more data and follow-up studies that control for vehicle safety feature differences to better understand the relationship.
Why it matters
- Findings may influence public perceptions about pedestrian risk from electric vehicles and affect uptake debates.
- Evidence tied to AVAS introduction could shape regulatory and design priorities for vehicle sound alerts.
- If EVs are no more hazardous, policymakers may focus more on safety tech distribution than vehicle propulsion type.
- Conflicting studies highlight the need for clearer evidence when setting urban safety and transport policies.
Key facts
- Study based on UK government road safety data covering 2014–2023.
- Published in Nature by researchers at the University of Leeds, led by Zia Wadud.
- Researchers reported a drop in pedestrian casualty rates for electric and hybrid vehicles in 2019, coincident with AVAS introduction.
- From 2019 to 2023, pedestrian casualty rates for electric vehicles were statistically similar to those for conventional cars.
- Authors argue heavier EVs may be offset by more advanced safety technologies on many electrified models.
- The paper recommends further research that accounts for the prevalence of safety features across vehicle groups.
- An earlier study from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine reached a different conclusion, finding higher pedestrian injury odds for electric and hybrid vehicles.
What to watch next
- Additional studies that control for the number and types of active safety systems on EVs versus conventional cars (confirmed in the source).
- Whether casualty trends continue beyond 2023 as EV market share grows (confirmed in the source).
- Potential regulatory changes to AVAS requirements or other mandated warnings for low-speed electric vehicle operation (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Electric vehicle (EV): A road vehicle powered wholly or mainly by electricity stored in batteries rather than an internal combustion engine.
- Hybrid electric vehicle (E-HE): A vehicle that combines an internal combustion engine with an electric propulsion system, drawing power from both sources.
- Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS): A low-speed sound-generating system intended to make quieter vehicles audible to pedestrians and other road users.
- Pedestrian casualty rate: A measure of pedestrian injuries or deaths resulting from vehicle collisions, typically expressed relative to exposure or time.
Reader FAQ
Do electric vehicles pose a greater risk to pedestrians?
The University of Leeds study found pedestrian casualty rates for electric and hybrid vehicles were statistically similar to conventional cars from 2019–2023.
Did the study find heavier EVs caused more severe injuries?
The researchers reported no evidence that EV involvement led to more severe pedestrian injuries in the 2019–2023 window.
Was the AVAS sound system linked to changes in casualty rates?
The analysis noted a drop in casualty rates in 2019 after AVAS was introduced, but the authors say more data are needed to confirm a causal link.
Does this settle previous conflicting research?
Not confirmed in the source.
PERSONAL TECH 138 Electric cars no more likely to flatten you than the noisy ones, study finds Recent collision data points to comparable injury rates across modern vehicle types Lindsay…
Sources
- Electric cars no more likely to flatten you than the noisy ones, study finds
- Comparing pedestrian safety between electric and internal …
- EVs 'just as safe for pedestrians'
- EVs pose no greater risk to pedestrians than conventional …
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