Pedestrians face no greater danger from electric vehicles than from petrol or diesel cars, according to new research from the University of Leeds.
The study analysed UK collision data and found no meaningful difference in pedestrian injury severity or casualty rates between electric and conventionally powered vehicles. The research, led by Zia Wadud, professor of mobility and energy futures, examined records from Great Britain’s STATS19 database, used by the Department for Transport to track police-reported road collisions.
Between 2019 and 2023, 71,979 pedestrians were struck by cars, taxis or private hire vehicles. When adjusted for distance travelled — around 250 billion miles annually — casualty rates were almost identical: 57.8 per billion miles for EVs and 58.9 for non-electric vehicles.
The research suggests newer EV fleets may benefit from more advanced safety technology, helping prevent collisions or reduce impact severity. Hybrid vehicles recorded higher casualty rates, which the study links to their frequent use in urban private hire roles.
Wadud said the findings should help counter concerns about EV weight and low noise levels, concluding that EVs pose no greater risk to pedestrians than conventional vehicles.
Read Professor Wadud's paper here.
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