GITNUXREPORT 2025

Electric Car Accident Statistics

Electric vehicle accidents increased, with higher fire, injury, and urban collision risks.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Electric cars have a 20% higher chance of being involved in a collision with a pedestrian due to silent operation at low speeds

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About 12% of electric vehicle crashes involved rear-end collisions

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Electric car accidents caused by sudden acceleration represent 8% of all EV crashes

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In rural areas, electric vehicle accidents involving wildlife or poor road conditions are 20% higher than in urban areas

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The most common cause of electric vehicle accidents is driver inattention, representing 55% of incidents

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Nearly 40% of electric vehicle accidents occurred during the winter months due to icy and snowy conditions

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In 2023, about 50% of electric vehicle accidents occurred during overtaking maneuvers

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The largest share of electric car accidents occurs during adverse weather conditions, especially rain and fog, accounting for 35% of incidents

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Electric car accidents involving manual driving are 2.3 times more likely than those involving assisted driving systems

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The risk of fire in electric vehicle accidents is about 10 times higher than in traditional gasoline vehicles

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The risk of electric car fires in accidents increases with battery size, particularly in vehicles over 75 kWh

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The incidence of electric vehicle battery fires in accidents is about 3 per 100,000 vehicles annually

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Electric vehicle battery-related incidents account for about 4% of all crash-related fires

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Electric cars accounted for approximately 2.7% of all vehicle accidents in 2022

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In 2023, there were over 1,200 reported electric vehicle crashes involving injuries in the US

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Electric vehicle crash incidents increased by 15% from 2021 to 2022

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Tesla Model 3 was involved in 38% of all electric car accidents in the US in 2022

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Electric vehicle accidents resulting in fatalities make up about 0.9% of all vehicle-related deaths

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The average electric car accident causes approximately $15,000 in damages

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In 2022, electric vehicle crashes accounted for 5% of all road accidents in California

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The probability of injury in an electric car accident is approximately 30% higher than in traditional vehicles

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The mean age of electric car accident victims is 45 years old

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Electric vehicle accidents at intersections account for 40% of all EV-related crashes

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In 2022, 22% of electric vehicle crashes involved multi-vehicle collisions

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Approximately 35% of electric vehicle accident injuries involve head or neck trauma

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Electric vehicles are involved in fewer accidents per mile driven compared to gasoline cars, with a rate of 0.36 accidents per million miles

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Emergency services report an increase of 25% in response times when dealing with electric vehicle fires

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The majority of electric vehicle accidents occur within the first 3 years of ownership, accounting for 60% of all claims

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Electric vehicle accidents at night are 22% more severe than daytime accidents, according to crash severity data

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Electric vehicle crashes involving autonomous driving features increased by 12% from 2021 to 2022

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The use of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) reduces electric vehicle accidents by approximately 18%

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Electric vehicle accidents are more likely to result in property damage only, with 60% of crashes being non-injury collisions

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Electric car accident rates are highest in states with stringent EV regulations and incentives, such as California and New York

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Electric cars with advanced driver-assistance systems experience 25% fewer accidents at intersections

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Electric vehicle accidents involving pedestrians account for 15% of all EV crash reports

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Between 2020 and 2022, the number of electric car accidents involving injuries increased by 20%

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Approximately 22% of electric car crashes happen on highways, with the rest occurring on city streets

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Electric vehicle accidents with third-party liability claims are 30% more frequent than those with no liability claims

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The proportion of electric vehicle accidents involving multiple casualties increased by 10% from 2021 to 2023

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The average emergency response time for electric vehicle fires is approximately 15 minutes longer than for conventional vehicle fires

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Electric vehicle accident severity, measured by injury level, correlates strongly with battery age, with older batteries causing more serious injuries

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Around 65% of electric car accidents occur in urban areas

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45% of EV accidents occur during daytime hours, typically between 9 am and 3 pm

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In urban environments, electric car accidents involving infrastructure damage are 18% more common than those in rural settings

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Electric vehicle repairs after accidents tend to take 15% longer than traditional vehicle repairs, due to specialized parts

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Electric vehicle windows are less likely to shatter during crashes due to reinforced glass, potentially reducing secondary injuries

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Key Highlights

Electric cars accounted for approximately 2.7% of all vehicle accidents in 2022
The risk of fire in electric vehicle accidents is about 10 times higher than in traditional gasoline vehicles
In 2023, there were over 1,200 reported electric vehicle crashes involving injuries in the US
Electric vehicle crash incidents increased by 15% from 2021 to 2022
Tesla Model 3 was involved in 38% of all electric car accidents in the US in 2022
Electric vehicle accidents resulting in fatalities make up about 0.9% of all vehicle-related deaths
The average electric car accident causes approximately $15,000 in damages
Around 65% of electric car accidents occur in urban areas
Electric cars have a 20% higher chance of being involved in a collision with a pedestrian due to silent operation at low speeds
In 2022, electric vehicle crashes accounted for 5% of all road accidents in California
The probability of injury in an electric car accident is approximately 30% higher than in traditional vehicles
About 12% of electric vehicle crashes involved rear-end collisions
The mean age of electric car accident victims is 45 years old

Electric cars, now making up a growing slice of our roads, are involved in more accidents than ever—accounting for 2.7% of vehicle crashes in 2022 with fire risks ten times higher than gasoline cars—highlighting a new era of road safety challenges as electric vehicle incidents continue to rise.

Crash Causes and Contributing Factors

Electric cars have a 20% higher chance of being involved in a collision with a pedestrian due to silent operation at low speeds
About 12% of electric vehicle crashes involved rear-end collisions
Electric car accidents caused by sudden acceleration represent 8% of all EV crashes
In rural areas, electric vehicle accidents involving wildlife or poor road conditions are 20% higher than in urban areas
The most common cause of electric vehicle accidents is driver inattention, representing 55% of incidents
Nearly 40% of electric vehicle accidents occurred during the winter months due to icy and snowy conditions
In 2023, about 50% of electric vehicle accidents occurred during overtaking maneuvers
The largest share of electric car accidents occurs during adverse weather conditions, especially rain and fog, accounting for 35% of incidents
Electric car accidents involving manual driving are 2.3 times more likely than those involving assisted driving systems

Crash Causes and Contributing Factors Interpretation

While electric cars silently glide into the future, their propensity for pedestrian collisions, rear-end crashes, and weather-related mishaps — compounded by driver inattention and a tendency for manual driving — underscores that even the quietest vehicle has loud lessons to teach about cautious driving and comprehensive safety.

Electric Vehicle Fire and Battery Incidents

The risk of fire in electric vehicle accidents is about 10 times higher than in traditional gasoline vehicles
The risk of electric car fires in accidents increases with battery size, particularly in vehicles over 75 kWh
The incidence of electric vehicle battery fires in accidents is about 3 per 100,000 vehicles annually
Electric vehicle battery-related incidents account for about 4% of all crash-related fires

Electric Vehicle Fire and Battery Incidents Interpretation

While electric vehicle fires remain rare at around 3 per 100,000 annually, their risk—especially in larger-battery models—is notably higher than traditional cars, highlighting that even the future’s clean commute comes with a cautious spark.

Safety and Accident Statistics

Electric cars accounted for approximately 2.7% of all vehicle accidents in 2022
In 2023, there were over 1,200 reported electric vehicle crashes involving injuries in the US
Electric vehicle crash incidents increased by 15% from 2021 to 2022
Tesla Model 3 was involved in 38% of all electric car accidents in the US in 2022
Electric vehicle accidents resulting in fatalities make up about 0.9% of all vehicle-related deaths
The average electric car accident causes approximately $15,000 in damages
In 2022, electric vehicle crashes accounted for 5% of all road accidents in California
The probability of injury in an electric car accident is approximately 30% higher than in traditional vehicles
The mean age of electric car accident victims is 45 years old
Electric vehicle accidents at intersections account for 40% of all EV-related crashes
In 2022, 22% of electric vehicle crashes involved multi-vehicle collisions
Approximately 35% of electric vehicle accident injuries involve head or neck trauma
Electric vehicles are involved in fewer accidents per mile driven compared to gasoline cars, with a rate of 0.36 accidents per million miles
Emergency services report an increase of 25% in response times when dealing with electric vehicle fires
The majority of electric vehicle accidents occur within the first 3 years of ownership, accounting for 60% of all claims
Electric vehicle accidents at night are 22% more severe than daytime accidents, according to crash severity data
Electric vehicle crashes involving autonomous driving features increased by 12% from 2021 to 2022
The use of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) reduces electric vehicle accidents by approximately 18%
Electric vehicle accidents are more likely to result in property damage only, with 60% of crashes being non-injury collisions
Electric car accident rates are highest in states with stringent EV regulations and incentives, such as California and New York
Electric cars with advanced driver-assistance systems experience 25% fewer accidents at intersections
Electric vehicle accidents involving pedestrians account for 15% of all EV crash reports
Between 2020 and 2022, the number of electric car accidents involving injuries increased by 20%
Approximately 22% of electric car crashes happen on highways, with the rest occurring on city streets
Electric vehicle accidents with third-party liability claims are 30% more frequent than those with no liability claims
The proportion of electric vehicle accidents involving multiple casualties increased by 10% from 2021 to 2023
The average emergency response time for electric vehicle fires is approximately 15 minutes longer than for conventional vehicle fires
Electric vehicle accident severity, measured by injury level, correlates strongly with battery age, with older batteries causing more serious injuries

Safety and Accident Statistics Interpretation

While electric cars are involved in just a small slice of total accidents, their propensity for interior complexity—especially at intersections—coupled with a higher injury rate and increased emergency response times—suggests that when the sparks fly, they tend to pack a serious punch both figuratively and literally.

Urban versus Rural and Time-Based Trends

Around 65% of electric car accidents occur in urban areas
45% of EV accidents occur during daytime hours, typically between 9 am and 3 pm
In urban environments, electric car accidents involving infrastructure damage are 18% more common than those in rural settings

Urban versus Rural and Time-Based Trends Interpretation

While urban streets buzz with the electric revolution, these startling stats remind us that the brightest hours come with the clearest risk, especially when infrastructure isn't quite up to speed.

Vehicle-Specific and Technological Factors

Electric vehicle repairs after accidents tend to take 15% longer than traditional vehicle repairs, due to specialized parts
Electric vehicle windows are less likely to shatter during crashes due to reinforced glass, potentially reducing secondary injuries

Vehicle-Specific and Technological Factors Interpretation

While electric vehicle repairs may lag behind traditional cars by 15%, their reinforced windows not only bolster safety but also subtly remind us that progress often involves a few extra minutes— and moments— of waiting.