A federal transportation official is warning that electric vehicle batteries, which can weigh thousands of pounds and make cars much heavier than their gas-powered counterparts.
According to an Associated Press article published by NPR, the chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is raising concerns about the weight of large electric vehicles, which could pose new risks in collisions with lighter cars.
Electric vehicles gain extra weight thanks to the size of their batteries, which, to provide long driving ranges, must weigh as much as 2,900 pounds. As another recent Bloomberg CityLab article noted, the rapid acceleration of electric vehicles has also prompted safety concerns.
NTSB Chairman Jennifer Homendy said in a press conference last week that, while decarbonizing transportation is an important goal, officials must also evaluate the safety risks posed by new technology, warning against unintended impacts on road safety.
FULL STORY: NTSB head warns of risks posed by heavy electric vehicles colliding with lighter cars
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