The EV revolution is upon us. More and more manufacturers are launching new EVs, with some even offering electric versions of popular models they already sell.
If you're in the market for an EV, but also prioritize safety, you've come to the right place, as it's time to look at the safest EVs for snow. Read on to find out more about EVs that are not only eco-friendly but safe as well.
1. 2020 Tesla Model Y
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tests vehicles for overall crash safety. The NHTSA uses a simple star rating, with five stars being the maximum awarded to an individual vehicle in whatever category is being evaluated. Five stars is also the maximum awarded for a vehicle's overall crashworthiness.
The Tesla Model Y earned an overall safety rating of five stars, the highest crash safety rating from the NHTSA. In addition, the Model Y features a five-star safety in the Overall Front Star Rating metric. The rating combines the Front Passenger Side test and the Front Driver Test into one score. The Model Y gets five stars in the Overall Side Star Rating, as well as in the Rollover test (with only a 7.9% rollover risk).
Clearly, the Model Y is not only a safe EV but a safe car overall. According to the NHTSA website, the 2020 Model Y they tested also features standard Forward Collision Warning technology, as well as Crash Imminent Braking. These technologies help make the Model Y a safe vehicle, even if the driver cannot respond in time.
2. 2021 Tesla Model 3 AWD
The Model 3 is also an extremely safe electric vehicle you can buy from Tesla. Tesla has prioritized building the safest EVs you can buy. The Model 3 aces all the crash safety tests. It achieves an overall score of five stars in the Overall Front Star Rating, which combines the driver and passenger ratings into one score.
The Model 3 also passes the Overall Side Star Rating with five stars, making easy work of the tests involved to get this rating. The Model 3 also features five stars in the rollover test, with a great rollover risk of only 6.6% (even better than the Model Y). The Model 3 tested also came standard with Forward Collision Warning technology and Dynamic Brake Support (which detects if the driver isn't supplying adequate force to the brake pedal in an emergency situation and applies additional pressure).
The Model 3 is a vehicle you shouldn't hesitate to look at if safety is one of your priorities.
3. 2020 Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf is a relatively cheap electric car and an absolute steal with its starting price of $27,800. It's also a very safe vehicle, showing that you don't have to break the bank to purchase an extra safe EV for the daily commute. The Nissan Leaf earns an overall five-star safety rating from the NHTSA. In addition, the Leaf enjoys an Overall Front Star Rating of four stars, as well as an Overall Side Star Rating of five stars.
The leaf passed the rollover test with a rating of four stars and a rollover risk of 10.70%. The Leaf doesn't perform as well as the Model 3 in some tests, but it's still excellent, with an overall rating from the NHTSA of five stars. The rollover test isn't as stout as the Tesla, with a rollover risk of 10.7% versus 6.6% for the Model 3. Regardless, the Leaf is an affordable, extremely safe EV option.
4. 2022 Audi e-tron
Audi's EV lineup offers some of the nicest electric vehicles you can currently buy. Take the e-tron, for example. It's one of the most stylish EV SUVs for sale at the moment. The great thing about the Audi is that it's not only extremely good-looking, but it's also a very safe vehicle. The e-tron SUV was awarded as a top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. The e-tron is by no means cheap, with the 2023 model starting at $70,800.
But, the electric SUV from Audi is packing a lot of bang for the buck. The e-tron is equipped with Audi's famous Quattro AWD system, which provides confidence-inspiring driving year-round. The e-tron also comes standard with Audi's pre-sense® front. This system can brake the car if the vehicle detects that a collision is inevitable.
The e-tron also comes standard with Audi's pre-sense® rear, which prepares the vehicle in case a rear collision is detected. The system will close the windows and tighten the front seatbelts for increased passenger safety during a potential collision. The precautionary measures that this system takes might seem small, but they may prove the difference between getting injured and simply escaping an accident unscathed.
5. 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E
The Mustang Mach-E is an IIHS Top Safety Pick. This means the Mustang Mach-E offers good looks and great performance and is also very safe. The Mach-E (with the e-tron a close second) is probably the best-looking electric SUV for sale currently. When the Chevy Blazer EV launches in 2023, it will also be a worthy challenger to the most stylish EV SUV throne.
The only downside to the Mach-E is that you can't order the 2022 model. Ford says that due to very high demand for their electric SUV, the Mach-E is no longer available for retail orders. Don't worry, though; you can still order the 2023 model. This problem isn't exclusive to Ford either.
EVs Are Just as Safe as Conventional Cars
This list provides evidence that the latest crop of electric vehicles is just as safe as any conventionally powered offerings. So if you're considering an EV, but have any doubts regarding the safety of these vehicles, rest assured that there are plenty of very safe EV choices.