Overview
- Department for Transport figures show 122 deaths in hybrid crashes last year versus 777 in petrol incidents, which, given petrol cars outnumber hybrids by about 20 to 1, implies roughly a threefold higher per‑vehicle fatality rate for hybrids.
- The RAC Foundation called for a specialist investigation branch to examine the pattern, with director Steve Gooding saying a focused resource is needed to address road risk.
- Experts cite hybrids’ greater mass, dual powertrains, and complex electronics as potential factors in severe crashes and difficult‑to‑extinguish fires, with IAM RoadSmart’s Nicholas Lyes highlighting two power sources and cooling systems.
- Insurer Tusker reported hybrids in its 30,000‑vehicle fleet experienced fires at nearly three times the rate of other cars, equating to 3,475 fires per 100,000 vehicles.
- Analysts caution that the figures are not adjusted for exposure, vehicle age, high‑mileage use such as taxis, or crash circumstances, and note fully electric cars recorded 23 fatalities, the lowest in the dataset.