The Tesla Model S has been described as one of the safest vehicles on the road.
We’ve seen photos and videos of a couple isolated incidents of Tesla Model S fires, which some have used to point out that electric vehicles are a safety hazard. On the other hand, what about the safety of the car in an accident? The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has given the Tesla Model S a Five Star Safety Rating, making it one of the safest vehicles in the United States, so what happens in a crash?
A few months ago, a Tesla Model S driver was impacted at an intersection by a distracted driver, who ran a red light. The driver of the Model S walked away, no more than a little shaken. The driver of the other vehicle left in an ambulance. More recently, a Tesla Model S was rear-ended in traffic, and here are the results…
What happens when a @TeslaMotors Model S get rear ended? #tank #amazing pic.twitter.com/GgEaFTKKdZ
— Joe (@HighTechJoe) February 14, 2014
Of course, the weight difference between the two vehicles plays a big part in the damages sustained in an impact. The Tesla Model S weighs in at 4,647 pounds, thanks, in large part, to the heavy lithium-ion battery pack. The other car, I’m guessing, probably weighs 1,000 to 1,500 pounds less, a Citroën Xsara Coupe, weighs in at just 2,458 pounds. On the other hand, note that the rear end of the Model S is practically unscratched, while the other car will require some serious body work and powertrain work before it’s back on the road.
Update: HighTechJoe tweeted me back on the make and model of the other vehicle, which turned out to be a Citroën Xsara Coupe.
Image © HighTechJoe
