Arlington, Virginia — February 7, 2017 — The US-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently conducted tests on two all-electric models: the Tesla Model S and the BMW i3. Neither vehicle qualified for the IIHS’ Top Safety Pick award.
David Zuby is Executive Vice President and Chief Research Officer for IIHS. He believes there is no reason the most efficient vehicles can’t also be among the safest.
“We hope Tesla and BMW will continue to refine the designs of their electric models to maximize driver protection and, especially in the case of Tesla, improve their headlights,” said Zuby.
A vehicle must earn good ratings in all five crashworthiness evaluations—small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints—and have an available front crash prevention system that earns an advanced or superior rating to qualify for the Top Safety Pick designation.
The “plus” is awarded to vehicles that meet all those criteria and also come with good or acceptable headlights.
The Model S, a large luxury sedan, earns good ratings in all IIHS crashworthiness evaluations except the small overlap front crash test. It should be noted that this among the Institute’s most challenging tests and numerous vehicles tested by IIHS have failed to meet the criteria. The Tesla Model S earned an acceptable rating. Despite lengthening the side curtain airbags to improve small overlap protection in the Model S, a statement from IIHS says the vehicle ran into problems in the test when the safety belt allowed the dummy’s torso to move too far forward. In turn, that allowed the dummy’s head to hit the steering wheel hard through the airbag. Measurements from the dummy indicated that injuries to the head, along with the lower right leg, would be possible in a real world crash of the same severity.
The ratings for the Model S apply to 2016 and 2017 cars built after October 2016. Tesla says it made a production change on January 23, 2017 to address the head-contact problem. IIHS says it will test the updated vehicle for small overlap protection as soon as it can be delivered.
BMW’s i3 did better in the small overlap evaluation than the Model S, but IIHS says the results can’t be compared because the Model S is a larger vehicle. Since the kinetic energy involved in a front crash depends on the speed and weight of the vehicle, the Tesla’s acceptable rating is based on a more severe crash than the good ratings of the lighter cars.
One version of the Model S, the P100D, also fell short on roof strength, which is important for protection in rollovers. The rating is based on a strength-to-weight ratio. The P100D has the same roof structure as other Model S versions but the vehicle itself is heavier due to a larger battery, so it earned an acceptable rating.
The current version of the Model S hasn’t yet been rated for front crash prevention. While automatic braking equipment comes standard, Tesla hasn’t yet activated the software for all vehicles.
A statement from IIHS says the 2017 Model S isn’t available with anything other than poor-rated headlights. Tesla says it is working with its supplier to improve the headlights, and IIHS will evaluate the new ones when they are available.
The BMW i3 failed to reach the winner’s circle because it rates only acceptable in the head restraint and seat evaluation, which measures a vehicle’s ability to protect against neck injuries in a rear crash.
The i3 earns good ratings in the other crashworthiness tests and is available with an optional front crash prevention system that earns an advanced rating. The system reduced the impact speed by an average of 9 mph in the 12 mph track test and by 7 mph in the 25 mph test. IIHS says its warning component meets National Highway Traffic Safety Administration criteria.
The i3’s only available headlight system earns an acceptable rating from IIHS.
“BMW clearly thought a lot about safety when designing the i3,” said Zuby. “It’s a shame that it missed the mark on head restraints, which is something most of today’s vehicles get right. Among small cars, the i3 is the only 2017 model that doesn’t earn a good rating.”
IIHS says it plans to test another “green” car, the all-electric Chevrolet Bolt, once it becomes widely available later this year.
