Safety fears: are obese EVs too heavy and dangerous for guardrails?

AutoExec Summary
Researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have found that modern highway guardrails and concrete road partitions are not strong enough to withstand a large battery-electric pick-up truck traveling at 60mph (97km/h). During testing, a Rivian R1T pick-up barely slowed down when hitting these barriers, causing concerns of potential fatal collisions with oncoming vehicles. The weight and speed of large EVs, like the Rivian, are a significant issue, weighing up to 3175kg. Even the Tesla Model 3’s low chassis weight poses a problem, lifting the rail upon impact. With the rising number of EVs on the road, urgent action is needed to address these safety concerns. The research, partly funded by the military, also raises worries about large EVs being misused by terrorists.

Brands mentioned: Rivian, Ford, Tesla