Teslas are the deadliest electric cars

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Teslas fascinate as much as they worry. If Elon Musk's brand is revolutionizing the automobile industry with its technological innovations, a new study conducted by iSeeCars sheds a stone in the pond. Data analyzed by this automotive website shows an alarming rate of fatal accidents for Tesla vehicles, far exceeding the US national average.

Shivering numbers

The statistics speak for themselves:Tesla records 5.6 fatal accidents per billion miles traveled, twice the national average of 2.8. This study, based on official data from the American National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), focused on vehicles produced between 2018 and 2022. In this dismal ranking, Tesla is just ahead of Kia (5.5 fatal accidents) and more significantly outdistances Buick, Dodge and Hyundai.

Touch interface and Autopilot to blame

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How to explain these worrying statistics ? Experts point to several factors. First, the omnipresence of touch screens in the passenger compartment. Tesla made the radical choice to eliminate almost all physical buttons in favor of a large central touch interface. The latter controls the majority of the vehicle's functions, from the windshield wipers to the air conditioning. A configuration that forces drivers to take their eyes off the road more frequently.

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The other critical point concerns Autopilot and the “Full Self-Driving” mode. These driver assistance technologies, despite their misleading name, do not make the car fully autonomous. Yet many drivers overestimate their abilities, encouraged by Tesla’s sometimes ambiguous communication. This overconfidence can lead to a fatal lapse in attention.

A troubling technological paradox

The most surprising thing about these results is the contrast between Tesla’s excellent crash test scores and this excess mortality on the roads. Karl Brauer, executive analyst at iSeeCars, points out that the problem is not with vehicle design, but with driver behavior. Cars have never been safer technically, but these advances are neutralized by distracted driving and excessive speeds.

The Model Y perfectly illustrates this paradox. Tesla’s electric SUV ranks sixth among the deadliest individual models, even though it has the latest safety innovations. A situation that raises questions about the balance between technological innovation and road safety.

• Tesla has a fatal accident rate twice the American national average
• The touch interface and overconfidence in Autopilot are singled out
• The excellent crash test scores contrast with this high mortality on the roads

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