Are electric cars changing road safety?

What VIAS Academy’s research reveals about how EVs behave on Belgian roads

Electric vehicles (EVs) are steadily gaining ground in Belgium — now representing over 6% of the passenger car fleet. As this shift accelerates, Manon Feys, Research and Project Manager at VIAS Academy, answers an important question: how does electrification affect road safety?

“We see electric cars rising in our Belgian car fleet,” Feys said. “And for us, that poses the question whether they might also pose certain specific road safety risks for our drivers and other users.”

Electric cars don't cause more accidents

VIAS Academy examined Belgian accident data between 2017 and 2023, using official statistics, fleet data, mileage, and a large driver survey. The analysis found that electric cars are not involved in more crashes per kilometer driven than petrol or diesel cars.

“Electric cars have a lower accident risk factor than diesel or petrol cars,” Feys explained.

In short, the rise in EV-related accidents simply reflects the growing number of EVs on the road, not a higher inherent danger.

Looking at vulnerable road users

Where some differences do appear is in crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists. About 29% of EV crashes include a vulnerable road user, compared to 22% for conventional cars.

Feys attributes this partly to geography and infrastructure — EVs are more common in Flanders, where traffic is denser — and partly to the silent operation of EVs at low speeds.

“Electric cars don’t emit motor noise at these lower speeds,” she noted. “That can be a risk factor on urban streets.”

Physics and safety

EVs tend to be heavier and more powerful than combustion vehicles. That extra mass generally protects EV occupants, while also increasing impact forces in some collisions.

However, Feys was clear: the vehicle type itself isn’t what determines injury severity — it’s mostly linked to speed and crash location. EVs, being newer and equipped with advanced safety systems, often perform better in protecting their drivers and passengers.

Adapting to a new type of car

The VIAS survey revealed that EV drivers are still adapting to their cars’ characteristics. Most respondents said they do not speed more often, though around one in eight admitted that the strong acceleration occasionally tempts them.

“A Tesla Model 3 can reach 0 to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds,” Feys said. “That kind of power used to be reserved for luxury sports cars.”

Drivers also reported being aware of the cars’ quietness and said they adjust their behavior accordingly. Many mentioned adapting to regenerative braking and different drive systems (rear or all-wheel drive), which slightly change the driving feel compared to combustion cars.

Small habits that matter

One in four drivers said they sometimes park in the opposite direction to reach a charging point. A small but important behavior to address.

“It seems harmless,” Feys explained, “but parking against traffic increases collision risk and is technically against road rules.”

The findings from VIAS Academy paint a clear picture: electric vehicles are not less safe, but they require mindful driving and infrastructure that supports their specific needs.

“We need safe and smart cars, but we also need safe and smart drivers,” Feys concluded. “That means being aware of the silence, using the right tires, understanding the systems in your car, and keeping vehicles well maintained.”

Electric mobility, in other words, isn’t changing road safety for the worse but changing what road safety awareness needs to look like.