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Study Reveals Electric Vehicles Pose Higher Risk to Pedestrians

Research shows electric and hybrid cars are twice as likely to hit pedestrians compared to petrol and diesel vehicles, especially in urban areas.

Car nearly hitting person
One of two pedestrians, including a child, that was struck by a car, is wheeled into a waiting ambulance today, August 17, 2011, in South Boston at the corner of Dorchester and East 7th streets. Staff Photo by Mark Garfinkel (Photo by Mark Garfinkel/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)
Electric Vehicles Charging
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Overview

  • Electric cars have a pedestrian casualty rate of 5.16 per 100 million miles, compared to 2.4 for petrol and diesel vehicles.
  • The quieter engines of electric vehicles are a significant factor in the increased risk.
  • Urban areas see a threefold higher risk of pedestrian accidents with electric cars than rural areas.
  • Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death for children and young people, with one in four road traffic deaths being pedestrians.
  • Governments are urged to implement safety measures as they phase out fossil-fuel vehicles.