NTSB Head Expresses Concern About Heavy EVs

While praising the impact electric vehicles (EV) have on the environment, the chair of a federal transportation board warned in a speech of possible risks. 

Jennifer Homendy, National Transportation Safety Board chair, warned Jan. 11 “we have to be careful that we aren’t also creating unintended consequences” from adoption of EVs, which are substantially heavier than their diesel counterparts. 

“The Ford F-150 Lightning is between 2,000 and 3,000 pounds heavier than the non-electric version,” Homendy said in a keynote speech to the Transportation Research Board. “The Mustang Mach-E, Volvo XC40 EV, and RAV4 EV are all roughly 33 percent heavier. That has a significant impact on safety for all road users.” 

The battery pack for the GMC Hummer EV weighs over 2,900 pounds by itself, according to Homendy, which is around the weight of a Honda Civic. 

Homendy made sure to say she’s been inspired by the current administration’s commitment to cutting down on carbon emissions, noting that the “transportation sector accounts for the largest portion of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions,” but that safety can’t be overlooked in the name of progress.