05/03/11 4:51pm

Article By: ENERGYBOOM

By Jace Shoemaker, May 1, 2011

 

Not only are electric vehicles better for the environment than gas-guzzling cars, EVs can be just as safe as well.  The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently performed the first crash test evaluations on plug-in electric cars.

The Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan LEAF earned the highest safety ratings during the safety evaluations . The IIHS Chief Administrative Officer said, "What powers the wheels is different, but the level of safety for the Volt and Leaf is as high as any of our other top crash test performers.”   

The LEAF and Volt received Top Safety Pick 2011 in the Small Car category.   Vehicles receive “good, acceptable, marginal or poor” ratings in order to determine “crashworthiness.”

The two EVs received the top rating of “good” in high-speed front, side, rear and rollover crash protection.   And in order to protect against neck injuries in rear impacts, seat and head restraints are also tested. Vehicles must also offer electronic stability control to be considered for the Top Safety Pick, the IIHS award for state-of-the-art crash protection.  

2011 Nissan Leaf front and side crash tests, ConsumerReports.org

2011 Nissan Leaf front and side crash tests, ConsumerReports.org

Accolades are nothing new for these two electric vehicles. Earlier this month, the LEAF was named 2011 World Car of the Year at the New York International Auto Show. The LEAF also won the 2011 European Car of the Year award as well. The Volt was named the 2011 World Green Car of the Year and 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year. 

This is a cross-post from EnergyBoom.com.

EnergyBoom is a global leader in energy news information, offering expert analysis on the world economy’s transition to cleaner, more efficient and more secure sources of energy. 

Original Post: http://www.energyboom.com/transportation/volt-and-leaf-earn-iihs-top-safety-pick-2011