Save The Planet: Kill Yourself
An electric car being marketed in Britain as "eco-friendly" appears to be less than human-friendly. Quite a lot less, in fact. The car was exempted from British automobile safety standards by classing it as a "quadricycle". When the car was subjected to the same test that regular cars are required to pass, it didn't exactly shine.
This is what happened when the eco-friendly G-Wiz electric car was put through a crash test that it - unlike most other vehicles - never had to pass to be deemed roadworthy.
Experts at the Transport Research Laboratory who carried out the 40mph test said in real life such a crash would leave occupants with "life-threatening injuries".
It comes just 24 hours after the Daily Mail revealed how ministers were alarmed at the safety risk posed by this type of mini-car - exempt from standard safety test regulations as it is classed as a "quadricycle" - and were considering proposing a ban.
So concerned were the TRL about the Indian-made G-Wiz that they refused to risk their more sophisticated £130,000 crash test dummies - full of electronic instruments - in the test for fear of them being wrecked.
Instead, they used a cheaper, more basic variety.
Their report into the crash noted: "The lower legs of the driver dummy were trapped within the vehicle and to remove the dummy from the vehicle the thorax of the dummy was removed separately to the legs.
"It is probable lower leg fractures could have been sustained."
Probable, hell. Take a look at the pictures. Human occupants would have almost certainly died in that crash. The steering column was pushed into the dummy's midsection. Can you say, "Lacerated liver?" I knew that you could. The legs being pinned completely was also kind of a giveaway. (Ed. Note: No problem, just remove the torso to free the legs - that's what the safety testers had to do.) Now I know that some of the ecostremists are openly advocating a drastic reduction of the planet's human population (like 5 out of 6 must die to meet their numbers, to which rational people should reply, "You first.") but it's kind of underhanded to assassinate them by telling them they are saving the planet by buying a killer car.
Environment, World news | Gaius Wednesday, 9 May , 2007
By Dave Redford, Thursday, 10 May , 2007 @ 4:09 am
So that rustling sound isn’t the wind in the trees after all. It’s the car lobby rubbing its hands in glee.
Let’s get this straight - it doesn’t require an engineering degree to look at a car like that and figure that it won’t have the crash resistance of, say, a Ford Focus. But this is a car designed to operate in an urban environment. Its absolute top speed is 42 mph. So is it realistic to crash-test it at 40? How often is it actually going to reach that speed in everyday use? Is your car tested at 90?
I’d concede that certain things about this car could be improved without adding weight - that steering column could use a redesign for a start. But I can’t help noticing that much of the comment surrounding this car comes from those who never wanted it to succeed in the first place. Lightness, minimalism, effieciency - these aren’t concepts you can put on a stand at the Detroit Motor Show and market to the masses, after all.
But like it or not, one day all cars will be this way, because our petrochemical meal ticket is about to run out, and lugging 2 tons of steel and insecurity around just to pick up the groceries is not going to be an option…
Dave Redford,
Sheffield,
UK
By Gaius, Thursday, 10 May , 2007 @ 6:16 am
Dave, consider for a moment: you are driving along at 20mph, turn a corner and run head on into another vehicle going 20mph.
That’s a 40mph crash. That simple.
That it should be a deadly accident in this car is the problem.
By BlogDog, Thursday, 10 May , 2007 @ 6:53 am
It’s kinda deadly being green.
By Uncle Pinky, Thursday, 10 May , 2007 @ 7:53 am
Hello Dave,
My personal backpack helicopter (built from plans ordered from Popular Mechanics) gets about 200 mpg. Where are my kudos?
I almost got some kudos from one fellow but the massive scything blades of this Green Friendly but Totally Stupid technology got him first.
Sad, I really could have used some kudos.
By Dave Redford, Friday, 11 May , 2007 @ 5:02 am
Dave, consider for a moment: you are driving along at 20mph, turn a corner and run head on into another vehicle going 20mph.
Having not noticed the other vehicle, slowed down for the corner, or applied the brakes at any point? Well, these are London drivers we’re talking about.
Although it has to be said, the lack of modern conveniences such as cupholders, CD players, satnav systems etc. should make keeping one’s eyes on the road a whole lot easier…
That’s a 40mph crash. That simple.
I will concede that point
That it should be a deadly accident in this car is the problem.
It is a problem, and there are some easy fixes which could and should be applied (like that steering column). But the fact remains that a in car that size it is going to be difficult to design in all the crumple zones etc that we have come to take for granted. It only weighs 400kg (880 lbs) after all. There are people who weigh more than that!
However, as I said, one day all cars are going to be like this, so you may as well get used to the idea of your own mortality…
I’m not sure that comparing this to a full-size car is particularly valid anyway, since the days of driving round in your own personal APC are numbered.
Imagine hitting something at 40 on a motorbike or bicycle - that isn’t going to be pretty either.
A final thought - reckon they should make Paris Hilton drive one?
By Ian Butcher, Thursday, 24 May , 2007 @ 7:36 am
the G-wiz came out a few years back, im sure they were tested by the DfT and regulations were met before selling it in the UK. Then how does one turn this around completely and run a test like this and that too declare it unsafe. Look at the vehicle, with its plastic body et al, it’s a car that’s environment friendly, small, and doesn’t go fast on roads. I’m sure this really means nothing,
By Najeeb Junder, Tuesday, 29 May , 2007 @ 6:39 am
I haven’t heard any complaints against G-Wiz. It’s doin fine as a city breed car. I don’t see any high speed requirements especially for a vehicle like G-Wiz which caters to urban needs.