Automakers are trying to appeal to Americans who love large vehicles as they launch their electric lineups. But boosting the number of heavyweights on the road will put others at risk, experts say.
With EVs significantly outweighing gasoline cars, inevitable crashes threaten more severe injuries and fatalities for other road users.
"From a physics perspective, we think it's an unavoidable problem when you're adding that much weight to vehicles without dramatically changing their designs," said Michael Brooks, executive director at the Center for Auto Safety.
Speed, driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to buckle seat belts are the primary causes of traffic fatalities, according to NHTSA, but safety groups say heavier vehicles make crashes more severe.
Crash data for electric pickups and SUVs is limited so far. The only available pickups — the Rivian R1T, the GMC Hummer EV and the Ford F-150 Lightning — began deliveries to customers …