Electric vehicles undergo the same safety testing and must meet the same standards as traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. In fact, many major independent government agencies believe electric vehicles are safer than gas guzzlers because of the way weight is distributed in EVs and the lack of an internal-combustion engine.

The battery packs of EVs are located in the base of the car and give them a low center-of-gravity. This increases the car’s stability and reduces the risk of rollover in the event of an accident. Furthermore, without an engine in the front end of the vehicle, the crumple zone of EVs can absorb more force during a front-end collision. This reduces the torque forces that passengers would experience in a crash.

The lack of a traditional engine also lowers the risk of fires. Most highway fires are caused or exacerbated by the flammable liquids (in other words, the fuel!) inside combustion engines, which is not an issue in battery-powered vehicles. With most of their weight in the floorboards, EVs have better handling and maneuverability, making them less likely to get into an accident in the first place.

There are additional, EV-specific safety standards that electric cars must meet to ensure the safety of the battery. According to the United States Department of Energy, EV-specific standards prevent chemical spillage, secure batteries during a crash, and isolate the chassis from the high-voltage system to prevent electric shock.

If you'd like to compare safety ratings between different EV models, here are some great resources we recommend:

• National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA)
• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
• Consumer Reports

Although they are a relatively new technology, the batteries inside electric vehicles are designed for maximum performance and lifespan. According to data analysis from over 6,000 electric vehicles, batteries show "high levels of sustained health." That means the battery pack in a given electric car is likely to outlast the useful life of the vehicle itself.

Electric vehicles also come with warranties that would protect you in the (unlikely) case that you purchase a vehicle with a faulty battery. The warranty usually covers 8 years or 100,000 miles of driving, but be sure to read the fine print when you purchase to determine your coverage. 

Like any machine, batteries decline in performance as they age. Notably though, heavily-driven vehicles don't show faster rates of degradation than lightly used ones, so you should feel free to take advantage of the full range of your vehicle on your commute or long road trips. The biggest factor affecting a battery's long-term health is actually heat exposure. You can learn more about this process and get tips on how to extend the life of your vehicle here. 

The lithium-ion batteries in electric cars are reliable, but they don’t last forever. Many people are rightly concerned about what will happen as batteries reach the end of their useful lives, but there are two developing solutions to keep lithium-ion batteries out of the landfill.  

Although they are a relatively new technology, the batteries inside electric vehicles are designed for maximum performance and lifespan. According to data analysis from over 6,000 electric vehicles, batteries show "high levels of sustained health." That means the battery pack in a given electric car is likely to outlast the useful life of the vehicle itself.

Electric vehicles also come with warranties that would protect you in the (unlikely) case that you purchase a vehicle with a faulty battery. The warranty usually covers 8 years or 100,000 miles of driving, but be sure to read the fine print when you purchase to determine your coverage. 

Like any machine, batteries decline in performance as they age. Notably though, heavily-driven vehicles don't show faster rates of degradation than lightly used ones, so you should feel free to take advantage of the full range of your vehicle on your commute or long road trips. The biggest factor affecting a battery's long-term health is actually heat exposure. You can learn more about this process and get tips on how to extend the life of your vehicle here.