It's mainly about China-bashing, not safety standards.
I wonder if they have the same safety equipment US cars are required to have.
There's no option on your list for the likeliest issue. US safety standards, for better or worse, are tough and strictly enforced.
I don't think it likely that anyone can build a car on the budget described that comes close to meeting them.
I'm going to bet it wouldn't meet safety standards and wouldn't look very pretty after colliding with an average US-built sedan...
Google Search question: What is the safety record of EVs compared to gasoline cars?
Google answer:
Electric vehicles (EVs) generally have a similar or better safety record than gasoline cars, especially in terms of fire risk and injury claims in accidents. While EVs are not immune to fires, they are statistically less likely to catch fire than gas-powered vehicles. Furthermore, data suggests that EV drivers may experience fewer injury claims in accidents compared to drivers of similar gas-powered vehicles.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
- Fire Risk:
Studies indicate that EVs are significantly less fire-prone than gas-powered vehicles. While EV battery fires are more challenging to extinguish, the overall frequency of fires in EVs is lower.
- Crash Safety:
Data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shows that EVs are not only as safe as gas cars in crashes but may even be associated with fewer injury claims.
- Advanced Safety Features:
Many EVs come equipped with advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control, which can help prevent accidents.
- Potential for Lower Injury Claims:
Research suggests that EV drivers may be tied to fewer injury claims compared to drivers of similar gas-powered vehicles in accidents.
- Reasons for the Perception of EV Fires:
Media attention and the novel nature of EVs may contribute to a perception of increased fire risk, even though the actual fire rates are lower.
- <- ignore this fucking dot.
Google Search question: What is the safety record of Chinese EVs compared to U.S. cars?
Google answer:
In general, Chinese EVs are achieving strong safety ratings in international crash tests and are equipped with advanced safety features. However, there have been concerns raised about specific models and battery fire incidents.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Safety Ratings and Features:
- Strong International Ratings:
Many Chinese EVs, including brands like NIO, BYD, and Geely, have achieved five-star safety ratings in Euro NCAP and ANCAP crash tests.
- Advanced Safety Features:
Modern Chinese EVs often come equipped with advanced safety features like airbags, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control.
- Focus on Safety:
The China NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) is a safety test that emphasizes the importance of safety in Chinese cars.
Concerns and Issues:
- Battery Fire Incidents:
There have been reports of Chinese EV battery fires, particularly during charging, raising concerns about battery safety.
- Specific Model Issues:
While overall safety is improving, some older or lower-end models have been criticized for having basic safety equipment missing or inadequate crash protection.
Comparison to U.S. Standards:
- Compliance with US Standards:
Chinese EVs entering the US market must comply with US safety standards, which are self-reported but subject to enforcement by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- Potential for Modifying Cars:
Some reports suggest that BYD may need to modify its cars to meet US safety standards, which are more stringent than in China.
In conclusion, while Chinese EVs are generally achieving strong safety ratings, there are ongoing concerns about specific models and battery fire incidents. They are also adapting to meet US safety standards as they enter the market.
CONCLUSION
Comparing EVs to gasoline cars: the EVs are probably a little safer overall.
Comparing Chinese EVs to U.S. cars: nothing yet shows an overall inferiority of the Chinese EVs on safety, but this assumes all those imports would be required to meet U.S. safety standards (just as foreign imports into China must comply to China's standards), and maybe China would have to do some modifications in order to comply with all the U.S. standards.
With any major change in technology, industry, consumer safety, there are the future adjustments necessary for the transition to totally happen, in practice. So there's always more detail to worry about. Nothing new -- Same as 500 or 1000 years ago. New technology and new methods always require some adjustment, and sometimes there can be bad results with anything done too quickly. Like Trump's up-and-down instant changes done thoughtlessly are causing disruptions and damage to the economy.
So of course do the transition to EVs thoughtfully, taking into account all the details of safety or anything where something might go wrong. Increasing carbon tax, as should be done, would help pay for needed infrastructure change -- U.S. gas tax is the lowest worldwide (for developed countries, and near the bottom overall). The slow transition is a willful choice to prefer instant gratification over long-term progress and higher living standard.
Safety is not a legitimate excuse to deliberately postpone progress as long as possible only to protect the jobs! jobs! job! jobs! jobs! jobs! jobs! of uncompetitive workers being paid twice as much as garbage collectors who are in greater demand and shorter supply and likely doing more benefit to consumers (the whole population).
(Other workers in short supply and higher-value but lower-paid than autoworkers, are truck drivers and bus drivers, first responders, welders, firefighters, gardeners, food-processing workers, clerks, janitors, restaurant workers, farm workers -- probably steel-workers are the only class equally overpaid with autoworkers, due to heavy gov't protection of these favored classes. Those higher-paid (e.g., construction workers) are paid higher because of their higher value in the economy, based on supply-and-demand rather than political favoritism.)
