The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) has recently announced its Top Safety Pick+ list for 2023, adding three electric cars to the prestigious list. The Genesis Electrified GV70, Hyundai Ioniq 6, and Lexus RZ 450e have all received the top safety rating from the IIHS.
What stands out this year is the focus on night-time pedestrian safety, aligning with the increasing rates of pedestrian accidents after dark. These vehicles underwent extensive tests for crash protection and crash prevention technology, with a particular emphasis on their performance in low-light conditions.
Both the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Lexus RZ 450e achieved “superior ratings” in vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash tests conducted in low-light conditions. On the other hand, the Genesis Electrified GV70 achieved an “advanced rating,” closely following the other two electric cars.
Interestingly, the GV70 is built on the same architecture as its gas-powered version, rather than utilizing the Electric-Global Modular Architecture (E-GMP) that underpins the Ioniq 6. Despite this design choice, the GV70 still demonstrated excellent safety features and was also noted for having the best headlights among the three.
IIHS President David Harkey highlighted the importance of comprehensive front crash prevention systems in these electric cars, both during the day and at night. He emphasized that night-time pedestrian safety is a growing concern and that the inclusion of low-light safety measures in these vehicles represents an industry shift toward more holistic road safety. It also aligns with the IIHS’s goal of achieving zero traffic fatalities.
With the addition of these electric vehicles to the Top Safety Pick+ list and the focus on night-time pedestrian safety, it is evident that car manufacturers are prioritizing the safety of pedestrians and aiming to provide safer mobility options for everyone on the road.
Definitions:
– IIHS: The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety is an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries, and property damage from motor vehicle crashes.
– Top Safety Pick+: A designation given by the IIHS to vehicles that excel in crashworthiness evaluations, crash prevention systems, and the recently added criteria of nighttime pedestrian safety.
Sources: IIHS (Insurance Institute of Highway Safety)