The electric version of the 2013 Ford Focus was tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and it received the top rating of five stars.

The five-star rating is noteworthy, especially considering that the electric version of the Focus beat the gas-fueled Focus in two of the three safety tests. The 2013 Focus Electric earned five stars in frontal, side-impact and rollover resistance, but the gas-fueled version only got the top five-star rating in side-impact, while receiving four stars in the remaining two categories. Both versions received an overall rating of five stars.

The Focus Electric features intelligent airbags that tailor deployment to individual occupants. The driver’s airbag makes use of a curve-shaped tether system that pulls in the lower section to create a “pocket” to lessen impact on the driver’s chest and ribs. With regard to rollover resistance, it's likely that the Focus Electric's heavy battery pack, mounted low in the vehicle, helps to prevent rollovers.

Other notable safety features in the Ford Focus Electric include four-wheel anti-lock braking system, LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children) and an anti-theft engine immobilizer.

The Nissan LEAF is rated five stars by the NHTSA; the Mitsubishi i-MiEV received four stars; the Coda Sedan got four stars overall (even though it received just two stars in frontal impact safety testing). None of those vehicles scored five stars in all three categories though, which makes the Focus Electric the safest battery-only vehicle tested so far by NHTSA.

NHTSA safety testing results for the Tesla Model S are expected in spring 2013.