Although it's only at 30 mph, Volvo's upcoming C30 electric takes a major beating after its front end is wrapped around a stationary pole in a crash video released today. However in typical Volvo style, the car preserves the passenger cage so that its occupants will likely come out relatively unscathed. And, in this particular test, Volvo also shows that it is thinking of ways to import its legendary safety to the technology of the future.
Although Volvo is coming a bit late to the EV party, they have put an emphasis on the safety aspect of their upcoming electric cars—in particular the safety of the potentially explosive battery pack in a crash.
A Volvo C30 electric takes a beating in the name of science—and proving that batteries are safe in crashes.
In the video, note the lack of deformation in the battery cage (bright green) on the underside of the vehicle as the rest of the front end becomes a mangled mess. Understandably, the safety of a large lithium-ion battery is of concern to potential electric car drivers, and, after similar testing done by Nissan and GM, it appears that crash safety has been addressed.
Source: Green Car Advisor
I'd far rather that they spent more time building them than crashing them at this point. ;) But still - pretty dramatic to see what can be done. I so often hear the tired phrase, "you can't break the laws of physics" - typically used as an excuse to drive a huge car for "safety" reasons. Of course we simply use physics in our favor, and can make small cars amazingly safe.