EV Protection System in the Event of an Accident

EV Protection System in the Event of an Accident - Electric cars are still arguably a new item in the automotive market. Not only in Indonesia, but also in most parts of the world. Many aspects are still a question mark in the minds of the general public regarding electric cars, one of which is about safety. How safe are electric cars compared to conventional internal combustion engine cars?

By involving the engineering team and the long development process of each manufacturer, electric cars are certainly not just any so. There are calculations and deep considerations about how the car can be comfortable and safely driven by consumers. The biggest concerns regarding the safety of electric cars today revolve around the potential for fire and electrocution during accidents.

Nissan as one of the manufacturers with the best-selling electric car sales in the world stated that the safety quality of electric cars owned by electric cars is as good as conventional cars. It is emphasized that the level of passenger safety of Nissan electric cars is as good as when and after an accident compared to conventional cars.

Wayne Harris, Manager of Electrification of Nissan Australia, claims that there is no vulnerable area in electric cars when compared to ordinary cars that are equivalent in class. "In accident regulations, there are specific requirements for electric cars related to the prevention of electric shocks and electrolyte spills," Harris explained.

Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz as an electric car manufacturer in the premium class states that there is extra protection in the electric cars they make. Compared to conventional cars, the protection provided by Mercedes-Benz electric cars is not only about passenger safety and crumple-zone on the body and chassis of the car. More protection is also provided for battery components in the event of a collision.

Electric car batteries containing multiple cells can cause a fire in the event of an accident, if not properly packaged by the manufacturer. Even the research and development criteria of electric cars also include testing battery reactions during impacts and when penetrated by foreign objects, with simulations of overheating and overloading as well.

"The battery is surrounded by a sturdy frame with an integral impact structure. Deformation elements are installed between the frame and the battery, and these elements can absorb additional force in the event of a severe side impact," explained Sarah Widmann, spokesperson for Intelligent Drive & Passive Safety at Mercedes-Benz.

So what about the potential for an electric shock? 

Mercedes-Benz also claims that when the car's electric system is exposed due to an accident, the user will still be guaranteed safety. This German manufacturer has a concept of "multi-stage safety" that works when an accident occurs. The high-voltage electrical system in the car will automatically turn off when an impact is detected. That way in a matter of seconds there is no residual voltage in the high voltage system outside the battery that can cause injury.

Even in an emergency after a less severe accident, the system still allows electric cars to be restarted and re-driven if detected there is no potential for harm. This can be used to continue the journey to a safe place or repairs.

Speaking of the cost of repairing electric cars due to accidents, whether it is more expensive than conventional cars, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz answered that it will depend on the level of damage to the car. You could say there is no big difference between an electric car and a conventional car. Four Years Later, Stellantis Cars Will No Longer Drink Gasoline