Electric Vehicle Safety

Most EVs can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 5 seconds or less. That’s considerably faster than most internal combustion engine vehicles so other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists might be caught off guard. You may also be surprised by such rapid acceleration when you’re behind the wheel.

Here’s what you can do for your own safety:

• Drive defensively.
• Accelerate smoothly rather than flooring it.
• Use Eco mode, which reduces the rate of acceleration to conserve power. You’ll retain control of the vehicle while giving other road users more time to react to it.

EV and hybrid vehicles often take longer to stop than other vehicles due to their weight.

To help keep yourself safe:

• Read the owner’s manual to help understand the vehicle’s capabilities and limitations
• Drive with extra caution until you are confident you know how the EV brakes
• Make sure the vehicle has tires in good condition and with plenty of tread

Because of their large battery packs, EVs on average are 33% heavier than traditional gas-powered vehicles. That means they have greater potential to cause harm to other people on the road. In a crash, occupants in a lighter vehicle usually come out worse than occupants of the heavier vehicle.

You need to give driving your full care and attention, including:

• Recognizing the serious consequences of crashes and doing your best to prevent them
• Obeying speed limits and other traffic laws
• Being alert around crosswalks, school zones, parks, and other places you might see pedestrians
• Knowing and following the rules that apply to bike lanes

EVs are quieter than most other vehicles, especially at low speeds. Pedestrians, cyclists, and visually impaired people who rely on sound cues are at risk, especially if the EV comes from behind them.

The federal government now requires all hybrid and EVs to contain sound emitters that make noise at low speeds. Be sure the device in your vehicle works properly. Leave as much space as possible between yourself and pedestrians.

When you ease off the accelerator, regenerative braking could possibly slow down your EV without activating brake lights. Surprised drivers behind you might not be able to slow or stop in time to avoid a rear-end collision.

To help prevent a crash:

• Properly adjust your mirrors to keep an eye on traffic following you
• Use your brakes in situations where other drivers may not be paying full attention, such as in heavy traffic

Damaged batteries can harm anyone who drives an EV or works on or around them, such as repair technicians and tow operators. The batteries can short circuit, catch fire, and explode even when idle in storage. They can also leak toxic substances.

For everyone’s safety:

• Keep batteries out of extreme heat
• Maintain a charge of between 20% and 90% to avoid over-charging or draining
• Let hot batteries cool before charging them
• Require drivers to read the owner’s manual and visit a qualified technician for regular maintenance

EV fires are rare. If your vehicle does catch fire, pull over to the side of the road, get everyone out of the vehicle, move at least 50 metres away, alert other traffic, and call 911. Don’t attempt to deal with the fire.

Learn more risk reduction steps you can take with EV batteries.

Whether you’re in a gas-powered vehicle or an EV, you always need to be conscious of your vehicle’s range. For an EV, that means knowing your vehicle has enough charge to comfortably get you to the next charging station. Remember that using the heater or wipers uses power, which can affect your range.

To help avoid draining the battery:

• Slow down to reduce the amount of power you’re using.
• Accelerate and brake gently.
• Plan your trips before leaving. Locate the charging stations you will use and have a back-up plan. Don’t push to the limits of your expected range before stopping. Use our TripCheck tool to build a plan in about 3 minutes.

Always have a charged cell phone with you and carry a vehicle emergency kit.

An EV’s acceleration and weight increase tire wear by an average of 20% compared with other vehicles. Rotate the tires every 8,000 to 12,000 kilometres. Regularly check tire condition and tread depth. Since EVs are heavier, recommended tire pressures can be higher than on other vehicles. Keep tires inflated to manufacturer recommendations.

While regenerative braking reduces wear on the physical brakes, it’s still important to check the condition of brake pads and discs.

Ensure it’s in good condition at all times. Inspect cables, plugs, and connectors for damage.

EV cooling systems regulate the temperature of the battery and other components. The system needs to work properly to prevent overheating, which can damage the battery.

High-voltage components should only be inspected and serviced by trained professionals. Ensure that these components are checked as part of routine maintenance.

Like any vehicle, an EV can break down on the road. If this happens and the problem can’t be fixed at roadside, check your owner’s manual to find the correct towing procedures. Towing an EV yourself could create safety concerns or damage motor and other components. Call a towing service and tell them that you have an EV. They will likely need to send a flat bed.

EVs have impressive acceleration and regenerative braking that require careful use in snow and ice.  To reduce risks:

• Use winter tires in good condition and with plenty of tread. They’ll help harness the energy and provide needed traction.
• Use gentle acceleration. Press smoothly on the accelerator rather than stomp on it.
• Use Eco mode rather than Sport mode. Sport modes generally apply more acceleration force. Eco mode should provide a gentler start.
• Turn down regenerative braking. In many EVs, the highest level of regenerative braking creates strong deceleration forces that could cause the vehicle to slide. Instead, control the brake pedal with precise, well-timed motions.
• Maintain a following distance of 4 seconds. Give yourself enough time and space to smoothly bring your vehicle to a stop at intersections.

Accumulations of snow or ice in and around any vehicle’s wheels can result in a vibration or wobble that can affect steering. On EVs, regenerative braking technology creates a slightly higher risk of build-ups, which can also impair high-tech components and sensors.

To reduce the risk:

• Make sure wheels and wheel wells are free of snow and ice. When you sense there’s a build-up, find a safe place to pull over and remove it. Better yet, make periodic stops to check.
• When you reach your destination, clean out snow and slush so it doesn’t freeze while your EV is parked.

EV batteries charge most efficiently in warmer weather. So put your vehicle in your garage while charging, or charge it right after your trip as long as the battery isn’t hot.

If you have to charge outdoors, make sure there’s no ice or snow around the connectors. Allow additional charging time when temperatures dip.

Several EVs have door handles designed to pop out from the body. During cold conditions, those door handles can effectively freeze shut.

To address frozen handles:

• Gently tap around the handle to loosen any ice. If that doesn’t work, slowly pour warm (not hot) water over it. Avoid trying to pry the door open or pouring boiling water on the handle. You could crack or break the assembly.
• Take a minute to dry the door handle when you park the vehicle.

If your EV doesn’t have rear window wipers, your visibility can be reduced during winter conditions. Apply a water-repellent solution to the back window every week or as needed.