The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, or IIHS,  has evaluated the crashworthiness of brand-new cars, trucks, and SUVs for almost three decades. IIHS gives these awards to vehicles that excel in a variety of tests. The test is modified yearly to reflect technological advancements and new automobiles.

The IIHS recently released its Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ winners for 2023. Let’s look at the only four electric vehicles (EVs) on the list for 2023.

1. Rivian R1T

Founded in 2009, Rivian’s all-electric lineup includes a truck, the R1T, and an SUV, the R1S. It was several years before its first vehicle was introduced to the public. Although the company doesn’t offer a wide variety of cars at the moment, Rivian has future plans to provide an electric delivery vehicle, which will be available in three different models.

An IIHS Top Safety Pick+ in the truck category this year is the Rivian R1T. It received superior marks in the Crash Avoidance and Mitigation categories as follows: Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle and Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (Day). It also received advanced ratings in the Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (Night) category. 

The crashworthiness and child and seat restraints received the top rating of Good across the board, which is the highest score for those categories.

2. Subaru Solterra

The Subaru Solterra is Subaru’s first EV. Subaru joined forces with Toyota to develop the platform for this SUV, which is also featured on the Toyota bZ4X as well as some future models.

The Solterra received top ratings of Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS in the small SUV category. It received superior ratings in Crash Avoidance and Mitigation for the following categories: Front Crash Prevention, Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (Day), and Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (Night). It also received top ratings of good in crashworthiness, seat belts, and child restraints across the board.

3. Tesla Model Y

The Tesla Model Y Is the fourth model in Tesla’s lineup. As a compact SUV, it’s more spacious than the Model 3, but all that space comes with a higher price tag.

It received the Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS in the midsize luxury SUV category. It received superior ratings in the following Crash Avoidance and Mitigation categories: Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle, Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (Day), and Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (Night).

However, in the seat belts and restraints category, the latch ease of use is only average. The lights have an average rating as well.

4. Volkswagen ID.4

The first electric SUV in Volkswagen’s portfolio, the ID.4, debuted for the 2021 model year. Volkswagen has vowed to eventually phase out the gasoline engine and only offer EVs in its lineup, so the ID.4 is here to stay for at least the foreseeable future.

The VW ID.4 received Top Safety Pick+ received superior ratings in the following crash avoidance and mitigation categories: Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle, Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (Day), and Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (Night). 

With rising concerns over gas prices, emissions, and other factors, it’s no wonder drivers are buying more electric vehicles than in recent years. Studies indicate that EVs will replace gas-powered cars by 2033 in many countries, followed by a worldwide takeover just a few years later. 

For these reasons, it’s essential to ensure that EVs are comparable to the safety of gas-powered vehicles. The job of the IIHS is to ensure that new EV vehicles meet safety criteria to set the standard for years to come.