Heavy electric cars may compromise motorway barrier safety

Heavy electric cars, weighing between 1.8 and 2.2 tonnes, pose a risk to outdated motorway barriers, according to the Vehicle Restraint Manufacturers Association (VRMA). These barriers were designed for vehicles weighing around 1.5 tonnes, raising safety concerns. The VRMA has urged the UK government to inspect high-risk areas, citing that heavier electric vehicles can generate greater force in crashes, potentially leading to barrier failures. A study from 2023 on this issue has not yet been released. National Highways is reviewing safety standards for barriers and has upgraded over 900 miles of them since 2020. However, the VRMA warns that without immediate action, the road network remains vulnerable to safety failures.