Road safety experts are demanding an urgent government inquiry after a shocking analysis revealed motorists are three times more likely to die in a crash involving a hybrid car than a conventional petrol vehicle.
Alarming Fatality Statistics Revealed
According to Department for Transport figures examined by The Mail on Sunday, 122 people lost their lives in hybrid car crashes last year. This compares to 777 fatalities in accidents involving petrol cars.
Given that petrol models outnumber hybrids on Britain's roads by almost twenty to one, the data indicates a significantly higher risk for hybrid vehicles. The statistics mean that, proportionally, hybrids are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision.
Experts Point to Technical Complexity and Fire Risks
Transport researchers believe the elevated death rates could stem from the complex engineering of hybrids, which combine petrol engines with batteries and electric motors. This dual-system setup can make the vehicles harder to control and more susceptible to fires.
The RAC Foundation has called for a 'dedicated investigation branch' to scrutinise this worrying trend. Steve Gooding, the organisation's director, stated, 'It's high time we had a specialist resource to address road safety risk.'
The cars' high-voltage batteries are a particular concern. They can be damaged by the extreme heat of the engine, increasing the likelihood of a catastrophic blaze. The powerful electric current running through the vehicle also heightens the danger for passengers during an impact.
Nicholas Lyes of the road safety charity IAM RoadSmart explained, 'Plug-in hybrids are often heavier and more complex vehicles. They have two power sources, two cooling systems and more complicated electronics and wiring.' This complexity can create 'complex fire scenarios' that are far more challenging for firefighters to extinguish.
Fleet Data and Wider Industry Concerns
Supporting evidence comes from Tusker, a leading company car insurer. Its data from a fleet of 30,000 vehicles showed hybrid models had an almost three times higher risk of bursting into flames, with 3,475 fires per 100,000.
Some analysts suggest the high mileage accumulated by many hybrids, such as those used by taxi drivers for their fuel efficiency, could be a factor. As these vehicles age, their batteries degrade and performance wanes, potentially increasing the risks.
In contrast, the same official figures show diesel cars are slightly safer than petrol, while fully electric vehicles (EVs) were the safest of all. EVs were linked to just 23 fatalities last year, despite nearly two million being on UK roads.
This safety revelation comes at a sensitive time for the automotive industry and policymakers. With fewer than one million hybrids in the UK and public enthusiasm for Net Zero policies cooling, the new data presents a fresh challenge. The figures will worry ministers grappling with declining interest in hybrid vehicles, especially with Labour's proposed ban on new petrol and diesel cars due in five years.
