Try not to get hit by one. Another negative of EV’s revealed.

[PMCErnie]

This story worries about guardrails. It should worry even more about other vehicles getting hit by an EV.

Guardrails on US roads may not be ready for heavy new electric cars

Some electric cars can weigh as much as 50% more than a comparable combustion engine vehicle, thanks to their heavy battery packs.

www.wtvr.com

 

[SirJangle]

This story worries about guardrails. It should worry even more about other vehicles getting hit by an EV.

Guardrails on US roads may not be ready for heavy new electric cars

Some electric cars can weigh as much as 50% more than a comparable combustion engine vehicle, thanks to their heavy battery packs.

www.wtvr.com

While I understand the premise, there are already vehicles on the road that weigh much more than EVs. Such as semis. So, my question is, why is this just now a problem?

 

[PMCErnie]

While I understand the premise, there are already vehicles on the road that weigh much more than EVs. Such as semis. So, my question is, why is this just now a problem?

More heavy vehicles on the road increases your chance of getting hit by one. Mass and inertia can’t be denied. The big guy always takes out the smaller guy. Maybe everybody should be driving cement mixer trucks, just to survive?

 

[EdP]

More heavy vehicles on the road increases your chance of getting hit by one. Mass and inertia can’t be denied. The big guy always takes out the smaller guy.

Exactly. Trucks and busses should be banned from the road too!

 

[PMCErnie]

Exactly. Trucks and busses should be banned from the road too!

It’s a question of quantity. Every EV that replaces an ICE vehicle obviously brings more mass onto the roadways. This also means more wear and tear on the roadbeds, not to mention bridges.

 

[EdP]

It’s a question of quantity. Every EV that replaces an ICE vehicle obviously brings more mass onto the roadways. This also means more wear and tear on the roadbeds, not to mention bridges.

Sure, but take a look around. How many F250s do you see that never hold more than a bag of groceries? If you are going to preach about one potential problem, don't ignore the others.

Should there be a size/weight limit on all cars? How about those tanker trucks hauling thousands of pounds of gas? Some of that will be lessened with more EVs.

 

[PMCErnie]

Sure, but take a look around. How many F250s do you see that never hold more than a bag of groceries? If you are going to preach about one potential problem, don't ignore the others.

Should there be a size/weight limit on all cars? How about those tanker trucks hauling thousands of pounds of gas? Some of that will be lessened with more EVs.

I’ll let you take up the cause against outrageously and unnecessarily large SUV’s, etc. I certainly support that. Those new Tesla Cybertrucks (circa 7,000 lbs) hauling momma to the store will take a double toll on our roadways.

 

[SirJangle]

More heavy vehicles on the road increases your chance of getting hit by one. Mass and inertia can’t be denied. The big guy always takes out the smaller guy. Maybe everybody should be driving cement mixer trucks, just to survive?

I get your point. But the article is about the infrastructure not being adequate. My point is that if it's not adequate for EVs, then it's never been adequate as we've always had vehicles on the roads that weigh much more than EVs.

 

[PMCErnie]

I get your point. But the article is about the infrastructure not being adequate. My point is that if it's not adequate for EVs, then it's never been adequate as we've always had vehicles on the roads that weigh much more than EVs.

Sure, but that’s another issue. Somebody likely decided that all guardrails couldn’t be designed to absorb the impact of cement mixer trucks. Pure economics.

 

[SirJangle]

Sure, but that’s another issue. Somebody likely decided that all guardrails couldn’t be designed to absorb the impact of cement mixer trucks. Pure economics.

Absolutely, it's always about the economics. The main problem with the EV movement though is that they put the wagon in front of the horse.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[PMCErnie]

Absolutely, it's always about the economics. The main problem with the EV movement though is that they put the wagon in front of the horse.

Surely there are lots of problems about the EV “push.” This guardrail revelation makes it pretty clear that if you put your family in a new EV, don’t expect a guardrail to help stop it in an emergency.

 

[SirJangle]

Surely there are lots of problems about the EV “push.” This guardrail revelation makes it pretty clear that if you put your family in a new EV, don’t expect a guardrail to help stop it in an emergency.

Exactly! But these issues will be short-lived. The technology will get better, the batteries will get lighter, etc. IMO, the EV won't be around long. There'll be a better green technology around the corner that's more efficient and cost effective.

 

[Husky]

The curb weight of our Kia EV6 SUV with AWD and the larger battery pack is 4500 lbs.
That's about the same or less than the popular pickups and full size SUVs that Americans can't seem to get enough of. I haven't seen any guardrail warnings about them yet.
I get your point (and I agree that the weight of the Cyberjoke and the Hummer EV are ridiculous - although they're very low in number), but it's hardly just an EV issue. Besides, we all know that EVs are just a passing fad, right, so why worry?
BTW, I tried to read that article, but so many sketchy pop ups came up, wanting me to sign up for things, that I had to bail.

 

[Looney100]

This article is a big swing and miss.
We've been seeing vehicles driven by the public getting heavier for decades as we're all using our Canyoneros to work. The weight differential of a typical EV vs. ICE equivalent is less than what we've seen as every has moved from driving a Honda Civic to a Honda Pilot, and even the Honda civic weighs several hundred pounds more than it used to because it's now bigger than the Accord was a generation ago.
The author(s) seem so focused on disclosing the potential issues that the additional weight of EVs may cause on infrastructure, that they miss the same result happening throughout the industry for many years. Not to mention all the problems that the SUV/truck craze creates for pedestrians and other problems from higher ride heights and impact points during collisions.

 

[PMCErnie]

This article is a big swing and miss.
We've been seeing vehicles driven by the public getting heavier for decades as we're all using our Canyoneros to work. The weight differential of a typical EV vs. ICE equivalent is less than what we've seen as every has moved from driving a Honda Civic to a Honda Pilot, and even the Honda civic weighs several hundred pounds more than it used to because it's now bigger than the Accord was a generation ago.
The author(s) seem so focused on disclosing the potential issues that the additional weight of EVs may cause on infrastructure, that they miss the same result happening throughout the industry for many years. Not to mention all the problems that the SUV/truck craze creates for pedestrians and other problems from higher ride heights and impact points during collisions.

Okay, take a swing at this article. I don’t think the head of the National Transportation Safety Board was lying.

“Homemdy noted that Ford’s F-150 Lightning EV pickup is 2,000 to 3,000 pounds (900 to 1,350 kilograms) heavier than the same model’s combustion version. The Mustang Mach E electric SUV and the Volvo XC40 EV, she said, are roughly 33% heavier than their gasoline counterparts.”

US official warns of risks posed by heavy electric vehicles

The head of the National Transportation Safety Board is expressing concern about the safety risks that heavy electric vehicles pose if they collide with lighter vehicles.

apnews.com

The story goes on to point out the dangers of the greatly increased acceleration capabilities of many EV’s. In other words, increased mass coupled with increased acceleration is a recipe for increased crashes and increased damage.

“He points out that electric vehicles have very high horsepower ratings, allowing them to accelerate quickly even in crowded urban areas. ‘People are not trained to handle that type of acceleration. It’s just not something that drivers are used to doing,’ Brooks said.”

 

[EdP]

Okay, take a swing at this article. I don’t think the head of the National Transportation Safety Board was lying.

“Homemdy noted that Ford’s F-150 Lightning EV pickup is 2,000 to 3,000 pounds (900 to 1,350 kilograms) heavier than the same model’s combustion version. The Mustang Mach E electric SUV and the Volvo XC40 EV, she said, are roughly 33% heavier than their gasoline counterparts.”

US official warns of risks posed by heavy electric vehicles

The head of the National Transportation Safety Board is expressing concern about the safety risks that heavy electric vehicles pose if they collide with lighter vehicles.

apnews.com

The story goes on to point out the dangers of the greatly increased acceleration capabilities of many EV’s. In other words, increased mass coupled with increased acceleration is a recipe for increased crashes and increased damage.

“He points out that electric vehicles have very high horsepower ratings, allowing them to accelerate quickly even in crowded urban areas. ‘People are not trained to handle that type of acceleration. It’s just not something that drivers are used to doing,’ Brooks said.”

He may be right about the acceleration, but there are many cars today that top 0 to 60 in much less than the souped up cars of our youth.

The weight is just a way to take a dig at EVs.
Take a look at a 6600 pound Hummer H2. Total curb weights for the 2021 Ford Super Duty can depend on drivetrain, engine type, box size, etc. Curb weight: 5,677 lbs to 7,538 lbs. Ford Expedition hits 6000# with a couple of bags of groceries, more with a couple of Bubbas.

If you think weight is a problem, bring them into the mix too. Let's get rid of them too. Make anything over 4,000 pounds illegal. Bring back the Pinto and Corvair!

 

[Looney100]

Ya. I'm not suggesting that these aren't issues. Just that this is not a new issue and EVs are not the only instance. It seems to tie these concerns to a discussion focusing on EVs.

 

[Husky]

Okay, take a swing at this article. I don’t think the head of the National Transportation Safety Board was lying.

“Homemdy noted that Ford’s F-150 Lightning EV pickup is 2,000 to 3,000 pounds (900 to 1,350 kilograms) heavier than the same model’s combustion version. The Mustang Mach E electric SUV and the Volvo XC40 EV, she said, are roughly 33% heavier than their gasoline counterparts.”

US official warns of risks posed by heavy electric vehicles

The head of the National Transportation Safety Board is expressing concern about the safety risks that heavy electric vehicles pose if they collide with lighter vehicles.

apnews.com

The story goes on to point out the dangers of the greatly increased acceleration capabilities of many EV’s. In other words, increased mass coupled with increased acceleration is a recipe for increased crashes and increased damage.

“He points out that electric vehicles have very high horsepower ratings, allowing them to accelerate quickly even in crowded urban areas. ‘People are not trained to handle that type of acceleration. It’s just not something that drivers are used to doing,’ Brooks said.”

This continues to be such a weak argument against EVs. The three top selling vehicles in the US in 2023 were all ICE pickup trucks, and all weigh anywhere from 300 to 1300 pounds more than my EV6 AWD crossover with the larger battery pack.
Sure, some EVs are heavier. So is the popular F-250 and other members of the Super Duty lineup, for example. They range in weight from about 6000lbs to a whopping 7600lbs. They also kill more children and pedestrians due to their poor visibility of things directly in front of them. I hope you're posting articles of protest against this as well.

 

[PMCErnie]

He may be right about the acceleration, but there are many cars today that top 0 to 60 in much less than the souped up cars of our youth.

The weight is just a way to take a dig at EVs.
Take a look at a 6600 pound Hummer H2. Total curb weights for the 2021 Ford Super Duty can depend on drivetrain, engine type, box size, etc. Curb weight: 5,677 lbs to 7,538 lbs. Ford Expedition hits 6000# with a couple of bags of groceries, more with a couple of Bubbas.

If you think weight is a problem, bring them into the mix too. Let's get rid of them too. Make anything over 4,000 pounds illegal. Bring back the Pinto and Corvair!

I loved those first generation Corvair Monza Spyders.

But don’t blame me for the assessment that the National Safety Transportation Board released, as quoted above.

 

[PMCErnie]

This continues to be such a weak argument against EVs. The three top selling vehicles in the US in 2023 were all ICE pickup trucks, and all weigh anywhere from 300 to 1300 pounds more than my EV6 AWD crossover with the larger battery pack.
Sure, some EVs are heavier. So is the popular F-250 and other members of the Super Duty lineup, for example. They range in weight from about 6000lbs to a whopping 7600lbs. They also kill more children and pedestrians due to their poor visibility of things directly in front of them. I hope you're posting articles of protest against this as well.

You’re certainly free to find such articles. I don’t search for the ones I’ve posted. I read them in the news of the day.

By the way, I saw something today on TV that mentioned that Hertz has canceled orders for Polestar EV’s. You have my word that I did not direct, or even suggest, that Hertz should take that action.