Mercedes First to Conduct Crash Test With Two Electric Vehicles
No one has ever seen how EVs get on when they bump into each other. Mercedes decided to be the first to find out.
Most crash tests both in the US and abroad feature a moving car versus an object. In the US, it’s a stationary object. In Europe, it’s a 3100lb aluminum “car” that represents crumple zones of a standard car. It’s great for keeping variables at a minimum, and establishing a benchmark for every car to follow. But no two crashes are the same.
And that is especially true with the onset of electric vehicles. Not only are the occupants still a concern, but now it’s a concern how they crash. EV’s are heavier than your standard car, and have an array of high voltage electronics that need to not send volts anywhere unwanted.
Mercedes wants to make sure there’s no dramas when two of their cars collide so they picked their biggest and smallest EV SUVs for this test. They are far heavier than a 3200 lb standard car. In fact, this test pits the 4,500 pound EQA against the 5,600 pound EQS. You can see why this is an important test. Energy is the main factor here, and with both cars traveling at 35 miles per hour, there’s a closing speed of 70. Far beyond what is required for either test in the US or Europe.
Mercedes has always been an innovator in safety, and crumple zones here play a critical aspect. After the crash, the driver’s safety cell on both cars keeps its shape. That’s not just for looks. That means the crumple zones have dissipated the energy correctly. And being able to open the doors after a crash means it’s easy for drivers to get themselves out, or for help to assist in any needed recovery.
But most of all, the high voltage systems from both cars turn off at the moment of impact. This means its safer for all involved, from the drivers to the people who pick up the pieces after a wreck. We’ll likely see different crash standards for EVs in the coming years, and thanks to what Mercedes are learning today, we’ll have safer and safer cars in our future.
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