Tesla's Excellent Crash Score Doesn't Mean It Is Really Safer Than Any Other Car

Are electric cars not simply cleaner, but safer as well? The high federal safety rating given to the Tesla Model S this week suggests that key elements of the electric sedan’s design may have positive implications for passenger safety.

But the money spent on engineering and building the luxury car is also a factor, and that may be harder to replicate in E.V.’s aimed at the mass market.

The 2013 Model S got an overall combined score, called the overall Vehicle Safety Score, of 0.42. This is the lowest score – and in this case lower is better – of any vehicle that N.H.T.S.A. has tested under a new rating system it began applying to 2011 models. However, the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro came close with a score of 0.47, and it isn’t electric. The score of the 2013 Nissan Leaf, which is an electric car, was 0.77.

t_bone - 8/22/2013 1:59:07 PM

+3 Boost

No engine to block the crumble zone + much of the powertrain weight below the floor - pretty darn hard to beat that combination.

vdiv - 8/22/2013 6:18:49 PM

+2 Boost

Wonder if the aluminum body and the AlMnMgSi alloy cage are simply better at absorbing impacts. That and the 4650-pound weight would help.

I would not take into account anything that the NYT says WRT Tesla. They've shot their credibility.

SanJoseDriver - 8/23/2013 7:12:51 PM

+3 Boost

There is no way in hell Elon Musk will sell to a larger company until the after the Gen3 is released (he stated this himself), and by then there may be few company that will be able to afford to buy the company. The company is profitable and may be VERY profitable in 2014 and 2015 with 30% margins on the Model S and X, so I don't think financing will be an issue. Worst case they will sell some additional shares.