CNN: Volt and Leaf get top crash test scores

CNN Money via Yahoo! News ^ | April 26, 2011 | Peter Valdes-Dapena

[Oldeconomybuyer]

The Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf plug-in cars both earned top scores in crash tests, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said Tuesday.

Both vehicles earned the Institute's coveted Top Safety Pick award, given to cars that get the best possible ratings in side and front crash tests as well as the best scores for whiplash protection in rear impacts.

The Leaf and the Volt each weigh almost 700 pounds more than comparable gasoline-powered cars by Nissan and General Motors.

The extra weight, mostly in the form of large battery packs, should help their performance in real-world crashes, the Institute said in its statement. In crashes between different vehicles, the lighter vehicle bears the brunt of the impact.

"The Leaf and the Volt's extra mass give them a safety advantage over other small cars," Nolan said. "These electric models are a win-win for fuel economy and safety.

Since the Institute's tests involve crashing vehicles into a fixed barrier instead of into another car, the weight advantage was not a factor in the test scores.

[CPOSharky]

The extra weight, mostly in the form of large battery packs, should help their performance in real-world crashes...

So, if I just carried around 700 pounds of gravel in my pick-up... (It would be a heck of a lot cheaper.)

[haywoodwebb]

Found to be safe in crash tests . . .



Not so much when charging in the garage . . .

[DaxtonBrown]

Next time I want to crash a car on the way to the grocery, I will seriously consider buying one.

[smokingfrog]

But what happens when a Volt crashes into a Leaf?

[verity]

"But what happens when a Volt crashes into a Leaf?"

The occupants are electrocuted.

[IYAS9YAS]

But what happens when a Volt crashes into a Leaf?

A butterfly loses its wings?

[stylin19a]

an angel gets his wings ?

[Oztrich Boy]

It’s alright as long as you don’t cross the streams

[hal ogen]

OK, then...massive amounts of lithium and other heavy metal.

[thackney]

Not any more dangerous than gasoline and lube oil.

There are reason not to support these vehicles, expense for one.

We look foolish when we just make stuff up.

[blueunicorn6]

That’s a good one!

[blueunicorn6]

But the old hippies driving them did.