Safety while driving electric cars: innovation, protection, and practical tips

Electric cars are revolutionizing the way we move, with more and more people choosing to embrace sustainable mobility. In addition to the environmental benefits and smooth, silent performance, electric vehicles offer advanced technologies to ensure safe and secure driving. Let’s discover how safety is at the heart of this new era of mobility and what simple precautions to take to fully enjoy the experience of electric driving.

Integrated technology and safety for maximum protection

Electric vehicles are designed with cutting-edge technological solutions that ensure the protection of drivers and passengers in every situation:

• Battery thermal management system: The batteries are the heart of EVs, and their proper functioning is ensured by thermal management systems (Battery Management System - BMS). These systems constantly monitor the temperature of the cells, keeping them within an optimal range (typically between 20 and 40 degrees Celsius) to prevent overheating or damage.

• Automatic safety devices: In the event of an accident, electric vehicles take immediate measures to isolate the high-voltage battery, thereby minimizing the risk of electric shocks or fires. International standards such as ISO 26262 and the UNECE R100 specifications regulate these safety systems. The NHTSA confirms that such isolation occurs within milliseconds, protecting both the driver and the rescuers.

• Driver assistance systems: Modern EVs are equipped with advanced technologies like emergency automatic braking, stability control, and lane-keeping assistance, for an even safer and more comfortable driving experience.

Electric driving: dynamic and responsible

Driving an electric car offers a new and enjoyable experience, thanks to the instantaneous response of the accelerator and the regenerative braking system, which helps recover energy and optimize range. Here are some tips to make the most of these features:

• Familiarize yourself with acceleration: The immediate response of the accelerator may come as a surprise at first, but with a bit of practice, it is possible to perfectly control the acceleration and achieve smooth starts, thus improving safety.

• Use regenerative braking intelligently: In urban or hilly contexts, intelligent use of regenerative braking allows for the recovery of valuable energy during deceleration, potentially improving the vehicle's range by up to 10-15% and significantly reducing wear on mechanical brakes. Moreover, smooth management of regenerative braking contributes to maintaining more stable and comfortable control of the vehicle.

• Respect for the vehicle and environmental conditions: Avoid excessive strain or extreme weather conditions helps preserve the battery and thermal management system, ensuring a long lifespan and safety over time.

Simple and safe emergency management

Electric vehicles are also designed to best manage any emergency situations. A few simple precautions help ensure safety in every circumstance:

• After an accident, the vehicle automatically shuts down, preventing accidental restarts.

• The high-voltage battery is automatically isolated to reduce any risk.

• In case of fire, emergency teams follow specific procedures that also include the time required to cool down the electric vehicle. This is because, even after the flames have been extinguished, the battery can remain unstable and risk reigniting. To ensure safety, the vehicle is then carefully monitored and cooled until it is completely under control.

• Some models are equipped with emergency locking systems that prevent accidental movements during rescue operations.

Moreover, the specific training of rescuers and operators is now widespread at the European level thanks to programs from entities such as the European Rescue Association (ERA), increasing the effectiveness and safety of interventions.

Numbers and regulations supporting electric mobility

Statistics confirm that electric vehicles are among the safest and most reliable:

• A study by the National Transportation Safety Board highlights that the probability of fire for an electric vehicle is significantly lower compared to an internal combustion vehicle, about 25 fires for every 100,000 EVs sold against 1,530 fires for every 100,000 gasoline vehicles sold.

• The Italian and European regulations ensure high standards for the safety of charging installations and garages.

• In Italy, the CEI 64-8/8 standard regulates civil electrical systems with a specific focus on infrastructure for charging electric vehicles, thus ensuring that the growth of electric mobility occurs in total safety and with maximum protection for all.

Driving electric cars is a modern, efficient, and safe experience, supported by advanced technologies and a solid regulatory ecosystem. With a few simple precautions, it is possible to make the most of all the advantages of electric mobility, contributing to a more sustainable future.