Electric Vehicles, Big Cars, and the Rising Risk to Pedestrians
How the shift to larger electric vehicles could worsen America's pedestrian safety crisis.
As the world accelerates toward a future dominated by electric vehicles (EVs), a new and troubling pattern is emerging: while these vehicles play a vital role in reducing carbon emissions, they may also be contributing to a growing pedestrian safety crisis. Larger vehicle sizes, combined with unique characteristics of EVs, are linked to increased risks for those on foot. This article examines the confluence of trends—vehicle design, audibility, roadway policies—and their effect on pedestrian deaths, exploring not only the data but also the actions society can take to address these pressing challenges.
The Dangerous Shift: Bigger Vehicles, More Risk
Over the last decade, the American car market has shifted decisively toward SUVs and light trucks. Automakers, responding to consumer preferences, are producing ever-larger vehicles, often at the expense of sedan models. The transition to electric drivetrains isn’t halting this trend; in many cases, it is accelerating it. Most electric vehicles introduced to the market take the form of bulky SUVs, crossovers, or pickup trucks, prized for their range and profit margins—but also notorious for their mass and front-end design.
- SUVs and trucks feature higher and flatter front ends, which are more likely to cause fatal injuries to pedestrians compared to lower cars with more sloped hoods.
- The average weight of an EV is significantly higher than that of comparable gasoline-powered vehicles, due to the heavy batteries required for sufficient driving range.
This convergence of greater mass and high, blunt fronts substantially increases the severity of crashes involving pedestrians. Consequently, despite advances in in-car safety, those outside vehicles have become more vulnerable.
A Troubling Surge in Pedestrian Fatalities
The United States has seen an alarming spike in pedestrian deaths in recent years. According to U.S. federal data:
- Pedestrian fatalities have risen by over 50% in the past decade.
- 2022 marked the highest number of pedestrian deaths in four decades, surpassing 7,500 fatalities.
- This trend stands in stark contrast to many Western countries, where pedestrian deaths have either remained stable or declined.
While many factors play roles—such as increased distracted driving, higher driving speeds, and poorer street infrastructure—the influence of vehicle size and type is increasingly pronounced. Analysts draw a direct line between the proliferation of SUVs and the spike in pedestrian deaths, warning that the current wave of big EVs could amplify this crisis.
EVs and Pedestrian Crash Rates: What Does the Data Show?
The collision risk presented by electric and hybrid vehicles to pedestrians is the subject of growing concern. Several major studies highlight:
- British research found that pedestrians are hit by electric or hybrid cars at more than twice the rate of those struck by gasoline or diesel vehicles when distance driven is considered.
- Analysis of U.S. crash data reveals that hybrid electric vehicles are roughly twice as likely to be involved in a pedestrian crash as conventional vehicles at low speeds (such as maneuvering or turning).
What others are reading
The reasons for these disparities are still being determined, but most studies point to fundamental characteristics of EVs:
- Audibility: EVs produce much less noise at low speeds than their internal combustion counterparts, making them harder for pedestrians—especially children, the elderly, and the visually impaired—to detect.
- Acceleration: Electric motors offer instant torque, meaning EVs can accelerate quickly and quietly from a stop, catching pedestrians off guard.
- Weight: Heavier vehicles deliver greater force in collisions, raising fatality risks for those struck.
Why Are EVs Quieter—and Why Does This Matter?
The much-discussed “silent danger” of EVs is not an exaggeration. Traditional engines generate sounds readily detected by pedestrians, particularly at low speeds when hearing a vehicle approach might be the only warning. With traffic noise a constant in urban environments, a whisper-quiet EV confronting someone in a crosswalk or parking lot presents a real hazard.
To mitigate this, rules now mandate artificial sound generators for new EVs (in the U.S. and Europe). However, many experts say the standards—often requiring sounds little louder than a refrigerator—do not match the level of a typical combustion engine, especially amid city clamor. The risk is greatest in cities, where background noise masks low-decibel warning sounds and pedestrian density is highest.
Table: Comparing Vehicle Noise Levels
| Vehicle Type | Approx. Idle Sound Level (Decibels) | Reference Sound Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline/Diesel Engine | ~70 dB | Busy office, vacuum cleaner |
| Electric Vehicle (regulatory minimum) | ~56 dB | Refrigerator, quiet office |
The result: even with sound generators, EVs can be harder to notice, especially for those relying on auditory cues, such as children or individuals with visual impairments.
Vehicle Design and Pedestrian Safety: Front Ends, Visibility, and Weight
Heavier and taller vehicles are the single most important physical factor driving the severity of pedestrian crashes. The geometry of modern SUVs and trucks—shared by their electric counterparts—means:
- High, vertical fronts tend to strike pedestrians in the head or torso, instead of the legs, causing more critical injuries.
- Larger blind spots ahead of the grill make it harder for drivers to spot children or wheelchair users immediately in front of the vehicle.
- Because EVs require massive batteries, their overall weight increases, compounding the force involved in any impact.
Virtually all large electric vehicles entering the market—such as the GMC Hummer EV and electric versions of pickup trucks—demonstrate these hazards. In extreme crash tests, these machines generate kinetic energies far beyond those of older, smaller models, challenging existing safety designs not only for their occupants but, most crucially, for vulnerable users outside the vehicle.
The Regulatory and Infrastructure Challenge
The current safety rating systems, such as those overseen by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), have historically emphasized occupant protection—how well a vehicle preserves the lives of its passengers in a crash. Vehicle safety features, crumple zones, and airbags have evolved primarily to shield those on board.
Yet pedestrian safety lags behind within both rating frameworks and vehicle certification. And as automakers ramp up big EV rollouts, regulatory bodies are only starting to catch up. Some key points:
- Pedestrian-focused safety testing is emerging, but not yet central in U.S. car design ratings.
- European regulations have prioritized pedestrian safety for years, suggesting changes such as softer bumpers or active hood systems; U.S. progress has been slow by comparison.
- Outside of vehicle design, street infrastructure remains dominated by wide lanes, long crossing distances, poor visibility, and a lack of traffic-calming features—all increasing risk for those on foot.
Toward Safer Streets and Vehicles
Combating the surge in pedestrian deaths as the vehicle fleet transitions to electric power will require a multifaceted approach. While no single policy or technology will resolve the crisis, the following solutions—drawn from international best practice and research—could significantly reduce risks:
- Redesign vehicle front ends to be less injurious, with lower bumpers and angled hoods, as mandated in European markets.
- Set tighter limits on vehicle weight and dimensions, especially for models primarily used in urban areas where pedestrian density is highest.
- Mandate louder and smarter artificial sound generators for EVs, ensuring the vehicle is always audible to those nearby using adaptive, context-aware audio cues.
- Require advanced pedestrian detection systems (such as automatic emergency braking tuned to recognize people) as standard equipment on all new vehicles.
- Rethink urban infrastructure—shorter crossings, traffic calming, expanded pedestrian space, and lower neighborhood speed limits all demonstrably save lives.
Some cities are also exploring regulatory limits on vehicle types allowed in urban centers, favoring smaller, lighter vehicles and providing incentives for car-free or car-lite lifestyles.
Changing the Dialogue: Whose Streets, Whose Safety?
The underlying issue goes beyond technology. As EV adoption continues—even upending entire vehicle markets—society must confront a core question: Should streets be optimized for the convenience and desires of drivers, or for the safety and livability of all who use them?
Making roads truly safer requires moving beyond a car-centric paradigm toward shared, people-focused urban environments where walking, cycling, and accessible transit are prioritized alongside, not beneath, rapid technological change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are electric vehicles more dangerous for pedestrians than gas cars?
A: Studies indicate that, per mile traveled, electric and hybrid vehicles are roughly twice as likely to be involved in a pedestrian crash as gasoline or diesel cars—particularly at low speeds and in urban settings. Their increased weight and lower noise levels are key factors.
Q: Why do large SUVs and trucks cause more severe injuries to pedestrians?
A: High, vertical front ends on large vehicles are more likely to strike pedestrians in the head or torso, rather than the legs. Heavier mass also results in greater force during impact, increasing the risk of fatal injuries.
Q: What is being done to address pedestrian risks from electric vehicles?
A: Regulatory responses include requirements for artificial sound generators at low speeds, ongoing review of vehicle safety standards to better include pedestrian impacts, and urban design interventions such as safer crossings and traffic calming.
Q: Can new technology make EVs as safe for pedestrians as other vehicles?
A: Potentially, yes—especially if combined with pedestrian detection systems, advanced braking technology, stronger sound cues, and front-end redesigns tailored for crash compatibility with vulnerable road users.
Q: What can cities and citizens do to improve pedestrian safety?
A: Cities can invest in safer street designs (raised crossings, shorter intersections, better lighting), enforce lower speed limits, and incentivize lighter, smaller vehicles in high-density areas. Citizens can advocate for these changes and prioritize walking, cycling, and transit whenever practical.
References
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/05/21/electric-cars-pedestrians-twice-rate-petrol-diesel/
- https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/811526
- https://katu.com/news/nation-world/study-results-raise-concerns-about-electric-vehicle-dangers-pedestrian-incidents-gas-hybrid-diesel-powered
- https://www.planetizen.com/news/2025/09/136048-regulatory-agency-delays-pedestrian-oriented-car-safety-rating-updates
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/03611981241283445
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