SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS FOR A DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES TASK FINAL REPORT

This report was prepared in connection with a broader study of the opportunities and risks associated with a demonstration program defined by the Congress of the United States in the Electric and Hybrid Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1976. This report has been used in the preparation of the interim report of the Opportunity and Risk Assessment (OPRA) program conducted under the direction of the Purdue University Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies. The problems addressed by this particular part of that study are to develop estimates of the number of accidents, injuries, and fatalities which might obtain in an electric and hybrid vehicle demonstration program of varying constitution, number, and time. In order to derive such an estimate, we have referred to existing accident data banks for small internal combustion engine cars operating primarily in urban areas, and have extrapolated from that data to some assumed electric vehicle populations. In addition, we have considered some particular problems of electric vehicles which might produce new dangers, such as electric shock, battery acid, and low acceleration capability. The desirability of imposing existing or new safety standards on these vehicles is considered. It is concluded that most of the current motor vehicle safety standards would have to be modified or waived in part in order for electric vehicles to satisfy the letter of the law. The preliminary analysis presented here indicates that selected waiving of safety regulations would not significantly increase the probability of serious injury and death in urban applications. Further, it is concluded that the process of developing such regulations at this time specifically for the electric and hybrid vehicles could substantially delay production and increase costs of the vehicles, and that this delay would not be consistent with the intent of the demonstration program. /HSRI/

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Sponsored by the Purdue University, West Lafayette Institute for Interdiciplinary Studies.
• Corporate Authors:

  Highway Safety Research Institute

  Huron Parkway and Baxter Road
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48109
• Authors:
  • O'Day, J
  • Huang, Liysheng
• Publication Date: 1977-8

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 36 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash rates; Electric vehicles; Fatalities; Hybrid vehicles; Injuries; Internal combustion engines; Laws; Safety; Urban areas
• Subject Areas: Energy; Highways; Law; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00178242
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Urban Mass Transportation Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: UM-HSRI-77-45 Final Rpt.
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 19 1978 12:00AM