Are Electric Trucks More Dangerous Than Traditional Pickups?
Electric vehicles, especially electric trucks, are taking the automotive industry by storm. However, there are still many unanswered questions about battery-powered haulers. We all know lithium-ion batteries are heavy. The question is, does that make EVs more dangerous? Are electric trucks more dangerous than traditional pickups? Does the massive amount of weight a battery carries affect safety?
Are electric trucks heavier than traditional pickups?
Firstly, the new GMC Hummer EV is a prime example of electric trucks weighing a lot. This one weighs 9,000 lbs, which is quite a difference from the gas-powered Hummer the company released in 2010, which weighed 4,900 lbs. Not only is the weight difference substantial, but so are the speed capabilities. In addition, the GMC Hummer EV isn’t the only electric pickup that can move very quickly.
According to Review Geek, most of the current EVs available now or coming soon are less than 5,000 lbs. That’s roughly 10-30% heavier than gas-powered models but lighter than a standard full-size pickup. Models like the Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, or Kia EV6 weigh more than gas versions but aren’t dangerously heavy.
However, fast electric trucks are what’s more dangerous. For example, the Ford F-150 Lightning weighs almost 6,600 lbs, roughly 2,000 lbs more than the traditional F-150. Ford’s new EV isn’t the only truck guilty of the same thing. Nearly every known electric pickup is heavier and much faster.
| Gas-powered model | Weight (lbs) | Electric model | Weight (lbs) |
| Ford F-150 | 5,000 | F-150 Lightning Standard Range | 6,171 |
| 2018 Ford F-350 Dually | 8,060 | F-150 Lightning Extended Range | 6,590 |
| 2010 GMC Hummer | 4,900 | Tesla Model 3 | 3,900 |
| Rivian R1T | 6,700 | ||
| GMC Hummer EV | 9,046 |
Electric trucks are dangerous because they’re fast
As noted above, a massive 2018 Ford F-350 Dually weighs 8,060 lbs. Comparatively, the new GMC Hummer EV is about 1,000 lbs more. Now take that F-350 and imagine it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just three seconds. That’s what the Hummer EV can do, and it weighs even more than the F-350. Electric trucks maintain the same massive size as traditional pickups and suffer from the same issues.
Problems like being easy to roll, harder to control, and more challenging to quickly bring to a complete stop. In short, drivers speeding around in these fast electric trucks could be very dangerous. Models like the F-150 Lightning and GMC Hummer EV are already sold out all over the U.S. and elsewhere. Hundreds of thousands, or millions, of 6,000-10,000 pound electric trucks will be speeding out of driveways everywhere within a few years. Do these models really need to go from 0 to 60 in three seconds?
Electric vehicles are safer than gas-powered overall
As noted by Review Geek, electric cars and trucks are safer than traditional ones, as long as you’re driving. Automakers today include cameras, sensors, driver-assist technology, collision avoidance, automatic braking, and more in modern vehicles. As a result, these models are much safer to drive than past vehicles. However, EVs are very heavy, thanks to the weight of the battery cells at the bottom.
As a result, electric vehicles have a low center of gravity, making them less likely to roll. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, EVs are potentially safer than gas vehicles. Additionally, a study by the NHTSA said the likelihood of passengers being injured inside an EV during an accident is lower than in gasoline vehicles. Overall, EV safety is an improvement over traditional models; the danger lies with fast-moving, heavy vehicles and distracted (or bad) drivers.
Electric trucks are more dangerous than traditional pickups because of speed
In conclusion, gas-powered vehicles are more dangerous than EVs because electric models have so many more safety features. However, electric trucks can accelerate to very high speeds very quickly. Driver error and hazardous situations can be catastrophic with something that heavy traveling that quickly. Electric trucks are filled with technology that makes them far safer for those inside than traditional pickups. Unfortunately, fast or poor driving may lead to ultra-fast lead missiles being more dangerous for other drivers on the road.
