A Late '70s/Early '80s Electric Car That Actually Did Well In Crash Testing? Yes, it's the 1981 UM Electrek
During the late '70s - early '80s electric car boom, fueled by high gas prices, electric cars were generally less safe than their gas-powered counterparts. Most were simply conversions of existing gas powered cars, or were very small. In the common 30 mph full frontal crash test of the time, their occupant compartments typically suffered damage, and for the worse performers, collapse.
Unique Mobility, a company based in Englewood, CO, made a vehicle called the Electrek. The Electrek's performance was by no means perfect: each front seat shifted forward about 9 inches, and the dummies "submarined" under the lap belts, which could cause abdominal injuries.
However, injury measures were good; HIC 443, Chest G's 34 for the driver, HIC 312, Chest G's 30 for the passenger. all femur loads under 1,600 lbs. These injury measures are all well under the levels which could cause serious injury.
Both doors could be opened easily after the crash, which shows that this structure has been properly designed to carry the extra weight of the batteries.
No battery acid leaked into the passenger compartment.
This performance was not only excellent for an electric vehicle of the era, it was above average for a 1981 car of any type. The drawback was the cost. $25,000 in 1980! (that's $73,413 in November 2017 dollars)
Unique Mobility, a company based in Englewood, CO, made a vehicle called the Electrek. The Electrek's performance was by no means perfect: each front seat shifted forward about 9 inches, and the dummies "submarined" under the lap belts, which could cause abdominal injuries.
However, injury measures were good; HIC 443, Chest G's 34 for the driver, HIC 312, Chest G's 30 for the passenger. all femur loads under 1,600 lbs. These injury measures are all well under the levels which could cause serious injury.
Both doors could be opened easily after the crash, which shows that this structure has been properly designed to carry the extra weight of the batteries.
No battery acid leaked into the passenger compartment.
This performance was not only excellent for an electric vehicle of the era, it was above average for a 1981 car of any type. The drawback was the cost. $25,000 in 1980! (that's $73,413 in November 2017 dollars)
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