Moment two Mercedes-Benz EVs smash into each other in ‘first public test’ of electric vehicle smashes
THIS is the moment two Mercedes-Benz EVs smash head-on during the “first public crash test” of a pair of electric cars.
The two fully electric vehicles ploughed into each other at 35mph during an impact test on Monday.
Airbags can be seen deploying immediately after contact is made, though huge damage is caused to the front of each EV.
The test was designed to show how the EVs pass minimum safety requirements when their heavy battery packs cause them to weigh more than petrol or diesel motors.
Taking place at the car giant’s safety centre in Garmany, it saw EQA and EQS SUV models collide head-on.
The two vehicles had a 50 per cent overlap to recreate a real-life crash, with each travelling at 34.8 mph.
Mercedes-Benz hoped to replicate a crash common on rural roads, often when drivers fail to complete an overtake.
Despite the extensive damage to both cars, the car giant said the vehicles were able to effectively absorb the energy of the crash by deforming.
As a result, the passenger safety cell of both electric models remained intact and the doors could still be opened.
In an emergency, this would make it possible for occupants to exit the vehicle on their own, or for emergency services to reach them.
The high-voltage system in the EQA and the EQS SUV is said to have switched off automatically during the collision.
A spokesman added: “With the world’s first public crash test involving two fully electric vehicles, Mercedes-Benz is going above and beyond not only the legal requirements but also those of the ratings industry.
“Euro NCAP stipulates a frontal impact test using a 1,400 kg trolley with an aluminium honeycomb barrier replicating the front of another vehicle.
“In accordance with the specifications, the test vehicle and the trolley collide with an overlap and at a speed of 50 km/h.
“Mercedes-Benz, however, used two real vehicles, an EQA and an EQS SUV, which are significantly heavier at around 2.2 and three tonnes respectively.
“In addition, both models were faster, each going 56 km/h, which meant that the overall crash energy was considerably higher than required by law.”
Chief technology officer Markus Schäfer added: “Safety is part of Mercedes-Benz’s DNA and one of our core commitments to all road users.
“And to us, protecting human lives is not a question of drive system.
“The recent crash test involving two fully electric vehicles demonstrates this.
“It proves that all our vehicles have an equally high level of safety, no matter what technology drives them.”