Study Reveals Higher At-Fault Crash Rates for EV Drivers in Europe

Research Indicates Higher Crash Fault Rates for Electric Vehicle Operators in Europe

Recent research suggests that individuals driving electric vehicles in Europe bear a higher responsibility in accidents compared to those driving traditional petrol and diesel vehicles.

A study recently highlighted by Green Car Congress has been carried out by Lero, the Irish software research center, and the University of Limerick. They analyzed telematics information from over 125 million trips made by commercial fleet vehicles, involving 14,642 vehicles in the Netherlands. This data, collected between January and October 2022, was examined alongside insurance claim records from the corresponding timeframe.

Citroën's Electric Spacetourer Model

Researchers analyzing the data discovered that drivers of electric vehicles (EVs) had a 4% increase in the frequency of insurance claims where they were at fault, in contrast to those driving traditional gasoline or diesel cars. This was the case even though EVs typically have less mileage on average than their combustion engine counterparts, according to the researchers' observations.

Studies have indicated that when drivers transition to electric vehicles (EVs), their driving patterns tend to shift, potentially impacting the rate of accidents where they are at fault. According to information from U.S. insurer LexisNexis, adapting to EV features such as one-pedal driving and immediate power delivery might lead to a higher likelihood of mishaps. Furthermore, statistics published by the company in June point to electric vehicles having a 17% increase in the number of insurance claims and a 34% rise in the seriousness of those claims.

The electric version of the Citroën C4 model.

The study revealed that repairing electric vehicles (EVs) is 6.7% costlier compared to vehicles with internal combustion engines. This is consistent with findings in the United States. Earlier in the year, Mitchell International, a technology provider for the insurance and collision repair sectors, released a report indicating that repair costs for EVs after a collision are 20% higher than those for comparable gasoline-powered vehicles.

The complexity of fixing even minor damage on electric vehicles contributes to the increased expenses, as indicated by insurance statistics from the U.S. Additionally, the heavier weight of EVs may lead to more significant damage to other cars, resulting in larger insurance claims when the EV operator is responsible. Coupled with the steep price of replacing batteries, this results in higher insurance premiums for electric vehicles, yet it still poses a challenge to the earnings of insurance firms.

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