A new study by Anidjar & Levine on vehicle safety has shown that internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, including those that run on gasoline or diesel, experience 60 times more fires than electric vehicles (EVs).
With 1,530 fires per 100,000 vehicles compared to EVs’ 25 fires, this contrast is just one of many findings reshaping how we understand road safety and public health.
Beyond fire risks, the study highlights how diesel cars’ heavier weight increases crash fatality risks for smaller vehicles by 47%, while hybrids balance reduced emissions with higher repair costs.
As traditional fuel vehicles dominate roads and EV adoption accelerates, these findings provide an essential roadmap for understanding safety, emissions, and repair implications across all vehicle types.
Key findings :
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Gasoline and diesel cars experience 1,530 fires per 100,000 vehicles, compared to just 25 fires for EVs.
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Diesel vehicles increase crash forces, leading to a 47% higher fatality risk for smaller vehicles in collisions.
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Gas cars maintain a stable fatality rate of 38 deaths per million vehicle years, reflecting decades of refined safety systems.
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EVs dramatically reduce urban air pollution, while diesel vehicles contribute the most to respiratory and cardiovascular health risks.
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Hybrid vehicles blend traditional safety features with advanced systems but face higher repair costs due to powertrain complexity.
Comparison by vehicle type
Breaking down the data:
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Fire risks: Hybrid vehicles report 3,475 fires per 100,000 vehicles, driven by the complexity of their dual powertrains. Gasoline and diesel cars follow with 1,530 fires, while EVs report significantly fewer at 25 fires.
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Crash dynamics: Diesel vehicles’ heavier weight increases crash severity, leading to a 47% higher fatality risk for smaller vehicles in multi-car collisions.
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Safety features: Gasoline vehicles benefit from decades of refinement, while hybrids and EVs integrate advanced technologies such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist.
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Public health: Diesel cars remain the largest contributors to harmful emissions, worsening respiratory and cardiovascular health risks. EVs improve urban air quality by significantly reducing pollution.
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Repair costs: Hybrid vehicles face the highest repair costs due to their complex systems, while diesel cars incur higher expenses from engine-specific challenges.
This study underscores the critical need for innovation in safety standards and emission policies across all vehicle types. While EVs lead in reducing emissions, gasoline and diesel cars continue to dominate the roads with proven reliability.
The complete study ranks the risks and benefits of electric, gas, and diesel vehicles, offering a comprehensive analysis of accident dynamics, safety features, and public health implications.
Filed Under: Safety Systems, Technology News