As the world transitions to sustainable transportation, electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining widespread popularity. Yet, alongside this growth, safety concerns have emerged.
EV manufacturers are addressing these by designing vehicles with a lower center of gravity to reduce rollover risks, while implementing advanced battery safety features to prevent and control battery-related incidents.
These safety measures offer reassurance to consumers, particularly first-time EV buyers, guiding them in choosing reliable and secure EV models.
China, Europe, and the United States currently dominate the EV market, accounting for about 95% of global EV sales in 2023.
However, Africa’s EV market, though nascent, is showing strong potential. Valued at $15.8 billion in 2024, it is expected to reach $25.4 billion by 2029, indicating a rising demand for eco-friendly transportation options on the continent.
A recent study by Affinity Lawyers assessed the safety of various EV models by analyzing crash data for EVs and hybrids over a multi-year period.
This analysis measured incidents per 10,000 cars sold over three years, resulting in a list of the top 10 safest EV brands.
The top 10 car brands that emerged the safest EV during the period include;
| Rank | EV Brand | Model | Total crashes | Total Sales until 2022 | Crashes per 10k cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford | Mustang Mach-E | 2 | 66,601 | 3.00 |
| 2 | Subaru | XV Crosstrek | 40 | 1,104,965 | 3.62 |
| 3 | Volkswagen | ID.4 | 2 | 28,031 | 7.13 |
| 4 | Nissan | Leaf | 15 | 179,380 | 8.36 |
| 5 | Porsche | Taycan | 2 | 20,553 | 9.73 |
| 6 | Rivian | R1T | 1 | 9900 | 10.10 |
| 7 | Chevrolet | Bolt EV | 16 | 142,017 | 11.27 |
| 8 | Tesla | Model X | 16 | 128,776 | 12.42 |
| 9 | Tesla | Model Y | 49 | 387,326 | 12.65 |
| 10 | Tesla | Model 3 | 124 | 826,892 | 15.00 |
The Ford Mustang Mach-E takes the top spot, with a remarkable record of just 3 crashes per 10,000 cars sold. Despite selling 66,601 units, this model has only been involved in 2 crashes over three years.
The Subaru XV Crosstrek follows closely, with a low crash rate of 3.62 per 10,000 vehicles. With over 1.1 million units sold, this model has only reported 40 crashes.
The Volkswagen ID.4 rounds out the top three, with a crash rate of 7.13 per 10,000 cars sold. With only 2 crashes from 28,031 sales, this model has proven its reliability and safety.
Rivian R1T is the only EV model with no recorded crashes from 2020 to 2021 and only one crash in 2022.
A spokesperson from Affinity Law while commented on the study said: “EVs often come equipped with cutting-edge technology like advanced driver-assistance systems and regenerative braking, and as these vehicles become more mainstream, understanding crash rates in relation to sales data gives us valuable insight into how well these technologies are performing in real-world conditions.
It’s essential for consumers to weigh not only range and charging capabilities but also how their chosen vehicle ranks in terms of overall safety.”
