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Withstanding the Crash: Looking at the Safety Features of the Tesla Model 3

Jan 29, 20214 min read

The Tesla Model 3. Source: Tesla

Written By Lance Lasam


The Tesla Model 3 is a phenomenal electric four-door fastback sedan. As an article from Top Gear puts it, it is “the most impressive electric car this side of a Porsche Taycan”. Take that as you wish.


An all wheel drive with two independent motors, a lowered suspension, along with its unique 20” wheels and performance brakes, and a carbon fiber spoiler are installed for total control and stability, even with changing conditions.


Cameras facing all direction, a forward-facing radar providing a long-range view of faraway objects, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and an autopilot feature are some of its safety and convenience features. You can navigate using the central 15” touchscreen display that also periodically updates in order to improve its functionality.


The all-glass roof provides more headroom and UV protection, creating a sense of openness and space. And let’s not forget its electric capability - a single charge can cover up to 568 km of range, and it can recharge for up to 33 hours at home or even 20 minutes in any public station or Supercharge (480-volt direct current fast-charging technology built by Tesla). All of these are put together to form one of the most interesting vehicles to ever grace the streets of the world, and the best-selling electric car in the world.


One of the most prominent high points of the Model 3 is its safety. Tesla itself touts it as the most important aspect of its overall design. And what do the international safety organizations say about this? Well…

These marks signify that the Model 3 is an ultrasafe electric car - when you drive or get into one, you are assured of its security, and when in a situation of a crash or accident, you are protected from severe harm or death.

Frontal offset test. Source: Business Insider, IIHS

Now, why did it get this glowing safety sheet?


Let’s first focus on the things that keep you safe in the Model 3 in the instance of a crash.

Roof-crush test. Source: Business Insider, IIHS

First off, let’s say if a front end collision occurs with the Model 3, the structure in the front of the car will crumple, drawing the impact away from the people inside. This is demonstrated in a frontal offset test conducted by IIHS and Euro NCAP. The main reason why is that this electric car has no engine. The lack of such an engine enables the steel and aluminum structure to take the impact of the crash, and not let any other material inside be pushed towards the people inside.


In lieu of an engine, the vehicle has a heavy battery located at the bottom of it. This is owing to the all-electric power-train design of the car. However, there is one more benefit of this placement. In cases where the Model 3 rolls over, the battery helps lower the center of gravity, leading it to return back to its normal position.


What is more is that even if, say, the car did end up upside down, the all-glass roof is still able to resist the force caused by it. In fact, the roof-crush tests done on the Model 3 show that it can resist up to more than 9000 kg of force. For comparison, if five of the same models are placed on top of the roof at once, it can still carry its force. Not only this, the thick airbags and restraints also help in protecting the passengers from virtually any harm.


In the tests, all of these features contribute to the crash test dummies ending up entirely free from injury. No wonder these organizations gave the Model 3 a stellar review.


Now, these are the things that can shield you when a crash occurs. But, how about the things that can help you avoid that collision in the first place?

Active safety test. Source: Business Insider

As stated before, there are cameras, sensors, and a radar that can assist you in driving through more dangerous parts. There are also driver-assisted systems which intervene whenever they detect obstacles on your path. They are able to halt the car when they detect an obstruction, and can pull the car back to its driving lane, preventing a head-on crash from an oncoming vehicle. These systems are on full display on the active safety tests done on the Model 3, as well.


What this all means is that whenever you hop on a Model 3, you are safe and secure in your seat. Whenever you drive, the car will do its part to keep you out of danger. But when it does, the overall structure can protect you from almost all the shrapnel and forces. The Model 3 is more than capable of getting you away from harm, and the almost perfect scores on safety tests just proved it.

 

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