Tesla vehicles have consistently received top marks in crash tests conducted by various international transportation safety organizations.
This impressive performance can be attributed to the low center of gravity created by the heavy battery situated at the bottom of these electric cars, as well as smart chassis design aimed at absorbing as much kinetic energy from a collision as possible before it impacts the cabin where drivers and passengers sit.
Recent Crash Test Results
The latest testament to Tesla's remarkable safety features comes from the challenging trailer crash test administered by the Chinese DCAR Institute for Collision Safety.
This isn't the infamous Devil's Drill Card test, where a car crashes into a stationary semi-truck, sliding underneath it while another vehicle hits it from behind. However, it is still one of the toughest crash assessments one can encounter for any automobile.
In the trailer drill test, the Model 3 excelled, becoming the only car out of around 30 to pass with outstanding results. The Model 3 managed to slide under the truck, barely touching the A-pillar before bouncing back, while many other vehicles suffered deformation up to the C-pillars.
Other Vehicles in the Test
Interestingly, Xiaomi's first attempt at an electric vehicle, the SU7, also performed well, directing the energy away from the crash test dummies. However, the testers pointed out that panoramic glass roofs do not provide much help in such impact scenarios.
According to Tesla's chief engineer Lars Moravy, the Model 3's chassis is designed with flexibility in mind to gradually absorb kinetic energy during a collision, with the highest levels of force occurring just before reaching the cabin.
Ultimately, the testers concluded that the passengers in the Model 3 would likely have survived a potentially fatal scenario, such as rear-ending a truck.
