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<keyword id="20961985" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vehicle-safety" source="keywords">Vehicle safety</keyword> group <keyword id="20581264" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Global-NCAP" source="keywords">Global NCAP</keyword> on Tuesday said it has given one star safety rating to <keyword id="19967472" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mahindra" source="keywords">Mahindra</keyword> <keyword id="21402082" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bolero-Neo" source="keywords">Bolero Neo</keyword> for adult and child occupant safety. The UK-based group also accorded two stars to <keyword id="21402083" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Honda-Amaze" source="keywords">Honda Amaze</keyword> for adult and zero stars for child occupant safety. It also gave three stars in adult safety and five stars for child occupants to <keyword id="20774736" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kia-Carens" source="keywords">Kia Carens</keyword> after the latest round of crash tests. The highest score on a vehicle crash test is five stars, while the lowest score is zero stars. "We were disappointed to see Mahindra's one star rating for the Bolero Neo. This falls well below the safety performance we have come to expect from the manufacturer," Global NCAP Secretary General Alejandro Furas said in a statement. Mahindra &amp; Mahindra said the company is committed to deliver vehicles that ensure the safety and satisfaction of customers and users. Bolero Neo has always complied with safety regulations that have been introduced over time and continues to be fully compliant with the latest Indian safety standards, it said. "As we are constantly innovating and improving our vehicles to exceed safety regulations, we want to assure our customers and stakeholders that Mahindra has significantly enhanced safety features in all our recent launches," the auto major stated. Models like Thar, XUV700, XUV300, and Scorpio-N have been recognised with high safety ratings of 4- and 5-star by the Global NCAP, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to safety. Furas said there has been an improvement in Kia's rating for the Carens since its original test when the model scored a zero rating for adult occupant protection. "However, we were expecting a better performance in the retest given the Carens is fitted with six airbags as standard," he added. On Honda Amaze, Furas stated: "Regrettably Honda did not take the opportunity to update the Amaze with more safety features which explains its disappointing score." Commenting on the development, Honda Cars India said the South Africa spec second generation Amaze has already been tested as four star by GNCAP in 2019. "The latest test basis new protocol shows that the total score is of five-star level. "However, mainly due to the requirement of certain equipment like electronic stability control and side curtain airbags, it resulted in lower rating," the automaker said in a statement. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/google-pixel-8a-may-be-more-expensive-than-its-predecessor-as-per-a-new-leak/articleshow/109499394.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/google-pixel-8a-may-be-more-expensive-than-its-predecessor-as-per-a-new-leak/articleshow/109499394.cms" target="_blank">Google Pixel 8a may be more expensive than its predecessor, as per a new leak</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/best-smartphones-under-25000-in-india/slidelist/109529634.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/best-smartphones-under-25000-in-india/slidelist/109529634.cms" target="_blank">Best smartphones under ₹25,000 in India</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/webstories/at-17-indian-chess-prodigy-d-gukesh-becomes-youngest-challenger-for-world-championship/slidelist/109492021.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/webstories/at-17-indian-chess-prodigy-d-gukesh-becomes-youngest-challenger-for-world-championship/slidelist/109492021.cms" target="_blank">At 17, Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh becomes youngest challenger for World Championship</a>

Global NCAP accords low safety rating to Bolero Neo, Amaze

<ul><li><keyword id="19895203" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicles" source="keywords">Electric vehicles</keyword> (EVs) are gaining popularity worldwide</li><li>However, concerns remain about their environmental impact</li><li> <keyword id="21881868" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="alternative-fuel" source="keywords">Alternative fuel</keyword> vehicles like hydrogen fuel cells and biofuels are some more alternatives we can tap into</li></ul> Electric vehicles or EVs are in their prime right now, with the demand crossing an all-time high. A trend noticeable around the world, EVs are not only becoming increasingly popular but also fairly affordable. Slowly but surely EVs are overcoming the challenges that crossed them — design, features, safety, and most importantly range. A major credit to this trend can be given to consumer acceptance, policy backing, and improving infrastructure. However, there is a downside to EVs as well. Having featured multiple EVs with our series<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCR3PaYxcmk&amp;t=1s" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank"> Short Spin, </a>I developed a strong reference point. This made me wonder why are we so heavily reliant on them. Over its life cycle, EVs cannot be termed as particularly environmentally friendly, which has been their main selling point over the past few decades. <h2>The ‘Red’ side of EVs</h2> There is a bit of red within the go-green agenda that EV manufacturers push. EVs as a whole do come with benefits like low maintenance, improved efficiency and ultimately lower fuel emissions. However, <keyword id="21357488" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="EV-production" source="keywords">EV production</keyword> and disposal can have detrimental effects on the natural environment. Here are some socio-ecological concerns over EVs: 1. High carbon footprint in battery production: EV battery production is energy-intensive and often relies on electricity from fossil fuels, leading to a high initial carbon footprint. This is elaborated in a story recently published by Earth Org. 2. Resource constraints and ethical concerns: Particularly with the extensive mining of cobalt and other minerals for EVs, there has been a global outcry. Limited availability of critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, shady mining practices long work hours, unsafe work environments, and use of child labour in underdeveloped parts of the world have raised several ethical issues around the sustainability of EVs. This issue can be explored further in this essay by Al Jazeera. 3. Recycling and end-of-life challenges: EV battery recycling is currently inefficient, costly, and poses significant environmental risks, with a huge amount of batteries ending up in landfills. 4. Manufacturing costs and economic barriers: High production costs, especially for batteries, make EVs more expensive than conventional vehicles and require significant investments in new manufacturing facilities and supply chains. 5. Supply chain and geopolitical risks: Critical mineral resources necessary for EV production are concentrated in a few countries. This leads to vulnerabilities in the complex supply chain and often risks disruptions due to geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts, or natural disasters. China as of today controls 83% of EV battery production in the world, with a major stronghold on the supply chain. While I am in no way suggesting to drop out of EVs, I believe sticking to just one alternative risks replicating the same mistake we did for ICE vehicles. So, what are the alternatives? <h2>The alternates fuel vehicles (<keyword id="23193800" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AFVs" source="keywords">AFVs</keyword>)</h2> AFVs are a growing segment of the automotive industry that utilize fuels other than traditional gasoline or diesel. These vehicles offer similar potential benefits such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved air quality, and reduced dependence on fossil fuels. While EVs are also a form of AFVs, here we will list out other major alternatives like hydrogen fuel and biofuel options. Hydrogen fuel cells: Convert hydrogen gas into electricity, emitting only water vapour. Currently, <keyword id="19906788" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Toyota" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Toyota" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Toyota">Toyota</keyword> and Hyundai are the only hydrogen-based cars in the Indian market. Hydrogen internal combustion engines: These vehicles use hydrogen as a fuel in modified combustion engines. While road-legal vehicles for this fuel type aren’t out, BMW with hydrogen 7 is working on a prototype. Ethanol: This is a renewable fuel made from plant materials, commonly mixed with gasoline. In America, Ford F-150 Flex-Fuel and Chevrolet Silverado Flex-Fuel are utilizing this technology. Biodiesel and renewable diesel: Derived from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled grease, these fuel types can be used in diesel engines. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG): Perhaps the most famous alternative for cabbies in Delhi, CNG is in popular demand. Technically it is used in specially modified internal combustion engines, primarily for lower emissions. Propane (Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG): A byproduct of natural gas processing and crude oil refining, used in internal combustion engines. As technology continues to advance, these AFVs are becoming more accessible and affordable, making them a promising option for sustainable transportation. If you are an eco-conscious buyer in today’s auto market, bear in mind that there are options beyond EVs as well. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/mercedes-expands-bev-range-rolls-out-second-locally-produced-model-in-india/articleshow/113388002.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Mercedes expands BEV range; rolls out second locally produced model in India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/electric-two-wheeler-adoption-in-india-rising-13-share-expected-by-2026-27-jefferies/articleshow/113361787.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Electric two-wheeler adoption in India rising, 13% share expected by 2026-27: Jefferies</a>

EVs are not the only options for alternative fuel — make way for hydrogen and bio-fuel

Sixty-six percent of <keyword id="23012810" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="road-traffic-deaths" source="keywords">road traffic deaths</keyword> in <keyword id="19952305" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Southeast-Asia" source="keywords">Southeast Asia</keyword> are of <keyword id="20239488" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pedestrians" source="keywords">pedestrians</keyword>, motorized <keyword id="20937113" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="two-wheeler-riders" source="keywords">two-wheeler riders</keyword>, and <keyword id="20007750" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cyclists" source="keywords">cyclists</keyword>, while the highest traffic fatalities in India are among two- and three-wheeler riders, according to the latest <keyword id="20738786" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="WHO-report" source="keywords">WHO report</keyword>. The "WHO South-East Asia Regional Status Report on <keyword id="20187029" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="road-safety" source="keywords">Road Safety</keyword>" was launched during "Safety 2024", the 15th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, 2024. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), globally, 30% of reported road traffic deaths involved users of powered two- and three-wheelers. Occupants of four-wheeled vehicles make up 25% of the deaths and pedestrians account for 21 %. Cyclists represent 5% of the deaths. The remaining 20% include occupants of large vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, and other or unknown user types. "In the WHO Southeast Asia Region, the share of reported road traffic deaths is 46% for users of powered two- and three-wheelers, 12 for occupants of four-wheeled vehicles, 17% for pedestrians, 3% for cyclists and 22% for others. In all these countries, vulnerable road users (pedestrians, motorised two-wheeler users and bicyclists) constitute 66% of the total reported road traffic deaths," the report said. "Drivers or riders of two and three-wheelers constitute the highest proportion among all road user categories in India (45.1%), Maldives (100 %), Myanmar (47%) and Thailand (51.4%)," it added. The WHO noted that no country in the South Asian region had achieved the target of reducing its estimated road traffic deaths by 50 %. However, considerable reduction in the WHO's estimated road traffic deaths occurred in the Maldives and Thailand, where estimated road traffic deaths decreased by 46.2% and 41.7 %, respectively. On the contrary, reported road traffic deaths in the region increased by 15 % in the 2010-2021 period. At the country level, no member state of the Southeast Asia Region with more than 10 million population has reported a decrease in road traffic deaths during this period. "However, it should be noted that the reported number of road traffic deaths in Thailand reduced by 22.9% between 2016 and 2021. The estimated road traffic deaths too increased in Bangladesh, India and Nepal during the period 2010-2021 by 23 %, 2% and 25%, respectively," the report said. Etienne Krug, director of the WHO's Department for Social Determinants of Health, said road traffic crashes were a major crisis of the 21st century. "...a large proportion of people who die in road crashes are those who cannot afford to buy a car. This is urgent time to take action. The report reveals that the crisis is huge but we need to understand and act with determination that prevention is possible and needs strict enforcement," he said. The three-day conference is being hosted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi; George Institute for Global Health in collaboration with the All India Institute for Medical Sciences (AIIMS), National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) and co-sponsored by WHO. "To reduce inequities, we must acknowledge that injuries disproportionately impact vulnerable communities -- because we are far behind in addressing real problems with real solutions. Lived experience shows how policy shapes differential exposure, risk, and outcomes, underscoring the urgent need for change," said Jagnoor Jagnoor, head of injury division at George Institute for Global Health. During the conference, the international experts are uniting with a shared goal of "building a safer future for all: Equitable and sustainable strategies for injury and violence prevention". The conference will focus on five key themes -- improving coordination and collaboration among stakeholders, strengthening capacity for research and practice, integrating injury prevention with global health agendas such as sustainability and equity, empowering communities, and promoting informed policymaking.

Pedestrians, cyclists, two-wheeler riders constitute 66% of road fatalities in Southeast Asia, says a WHO report

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Hurricane Helene caused at least 6 EV fires in Florida, according to state officials.</li><li>Saltwater can corrode lithium-ion batteries, leading to short-circuits and fires.</li></ul>Soon after Hurricane Helene barreled into northwestern Florida, local government officials <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1886706438505288&amp;ref=sharing">shared footage</a> of an electric vehicle catching fire in a flooded garage.The video, posted by Pinellas County officials on social media, came with a warning for EV owners about the risks posed by salt water, which can corrode lithium-ion batteries and cause them to short-circuit and overheat. Don't "charge, drive, or store your EV or E-bike in your home or garage,"the post said. It recommended they "move the EV or E-bike 50 feet away from any other combustible material" and "have the vehicle towed to a dealership for inspection."Florida officials said on Tuesday that they had <a target="_blank" href="https://myfloridacfo.com/news/pressreleases/press-release-details/2024/10/02/fire-safety-alert-cfo---state-fire-marshal-jimmy-patronis--lithium-ion-batteries-are-ticking-time-bombs-in-wake-of-hurricane-helene">since confirmed 16 lithium-ion-battery fires</a> related to Hurricane Helene's storm surge, six of which were in EVs. Electric golf carts, e-bikes, and other battery-powered devices are also a hazard. The fires led Florida's chief financial officer and fire marshal, Jimmy Patronis, to call on automakers to be more proactive about notifying customers about moving their EVs to higher ground ahead of a storm (as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-helene-electric-vehicles-evs-owners-fire-risk-safety-tips-2024-10">Gov. Ron DeSantis</a> did before Helene arrived) and about what to do if an EV is flooded."It's not too late for these manufacturers to send out notifications and fire safety information directly to their consumers," Patronis said in a statement, adding that his office was coordinating with emergency responders to make residents aware of the risks.The warnings come at a critical time for the EV industry. Consumer demand for EVs has been slower than expected this year, and Republicans including <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jd-vance-elon-musk-tesla-electric-vehicle-tax-credit-oil-2024-7">JD Vance have attacked the industry</a> in the run-up to the presidential election in November. J.D. Power has forecast that EVs will account for 9% of the market this year — a figure the group <a target="_blank" href="https://www.jdpower.com/business/resources/jd-power-revises-ev-retail-share-forecast">revised down from 12% because of slower adoption</a>. Surveys have suggested that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ev-charging-range-improving-americans-still-dont-want-electric-cars-2024-9">Americans are a lot more concerned about finding chargers</a> than safety, but viral videos of EV fires could fuel skepticism.Brent Gruber, the executive director of J.D. Power's electric-vehicle practice, told Business Insider that because of the recent fires, his team planned to begin tracking consumers' concern about EV fires.Some data from the Transportation Department and Tesla suggests EVs catch fire less often than hybrid or gas-powered cars on the road or in crashes. Saltwater storm surges during Hurricanes Ida, Ian, and now Helene pose a risk to lithium-ion batteries, but it's not clear how often EV fires occur during extreme weather events.A spokesperson for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said its data on vehicle fires was limited to fires after fatal crashes. The agency said that since Hurricane Ian struck Florida in 2022, it has monitored reports of EV fires during coastal storms in the southeastern and northeastern US and in California. It said reports of EV fires resulting from saltwater flooding came only from Florida."More research is underway to better understand the interaction of high-voltage battery systems and saltwater immersion," the spokesperson said. They added that the agency had proposed updating some safety requirements for EV batteries to reduce the risk of these fires.Albert Gore, the executive director of the Zero Emission Transportation Association, which represents EV makers like Tesla and Rivian, told Business Insider that manufacturers had done a lot of outreach over the past decade to local fire departments about EV-battery safety. He emphasized that the fires seemed to be limited to coastal regions where saltwater storm surge is a risk and argued that EVs in general are much less likely to catch fire than gas-powered vehicles."The most important piece of information to communicate is if you live in an area where there's a risk of hurricanes and storm surge, it's really important to move that vehicle to higher ground," Gore said.Several fire departments along Florida's coastline told Business Insider that they'd been <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/electric-vehicle-fires-what-to-know-2023-11">educating their emergency responders</a> and the public about how to prevent and put out EV fires since Hurricane Ian in 2022.Kelsey Grentzer, a spokesperson for the government in Pinellas County, which covers St. Petersburg and Clearwater, said that so far during Hurricane Helene, emergency responders in the county had been called out to at least 93 vehicle fires. Grentzer said they were still analyzing the breakdown of how many were gas cars versus EVs.Heather Mazurkiewicz, a spokesperson for the North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District, which covers Naples, didn't have an exact figure for Helene but said the district had been taking the problem seriously."There's no predictability as to how or when a fire will start from the battery compartment. They're extremely volatile," Mazurkiewicz said.Even after an EV battery fire appears to be extinguished, lingering stored energy can cause what's known as a "thermal runaway," a cycle of overheating and over-pressurizing. Putting out the battery fire can require more than 10,0000 gallons of water, Mazurkiewicz added.The volatility was on display in the Pinellas County officials' viral video. The EV owners <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fox13news.com/news/electric-vehicle-catches-fire-garage-destroys-home-during-hurricane-helene">told a local Fox affiliate</a> that they narrowly escaped their home in Siesta Key as it became engulfed in flames and that they didn't know that a small amount of flooding could ignite the EV.

Viral videos of EVs catching fire after Hurricane Helene raise safety concerns in Florida

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Dylan O'Brien told Men's Health his safety concerns over a stunt in "The Maze Runner" were ignored.</li><li>He was hit by a vehicle in a "life-changing" incident.</li></ul>Dylan O'Brien claimed his concerns that a stunt on "The Maze Runner: The Death Cure" wasn't safe were ignored, resulting in an accident that left him needing reconstructive surgery. O'Brien played the lead in the dystopian "Maze Runner" action trilogy. The franchise was relatively successful, making $924 million worldwide.In 2016, O'Brien filmed a stunt for the third film, "The Death Cure," where he was meant to jump between two vehicles. Instead, he was pulled from a moving car and then hit by another vehicle.In 2020, O'Brien told <a target="_blank" href="https://deadline.com/2020/10/dylan-obrien-feeling-broken-traumatic-maze-runner-accident-the-education-of-fredrick-fitzell-1234598699/">Deadline</a> that recovery was a "rough and long road" and he felt "fucking broken." He suffered a facial fracture, concussion, and brain trauma.Since recovering, O'Brien has starred in a number of big projects including "American Assassin" with Michael Keaton and Netflix's "Love &amp; Monsters." He also plays Dan Akroyd in the upcoming <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/saturday-night-movie-cast-vs-real-people-snl-2024-8">"Saturday Night" movie</a>.In an interview with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a62354765/dylan-o-brien-saturday-night-interview/">Men's Health</a> published on Monday, O'Brien said: "I learned after the accident to not conflate taking care of yourself and looking after yourself."Don't let them manipulate you into thinking that is being difficult, because I can look at that day and know I was a 24-year-old kid who was raising concerns about how we were approaching things, and they were not listened to, they were not respected."And then what happened happened. And by all accounts, it was all pretty gotten away with, I would say, as well."He added: "It was a life-changing incident. I've approached everything differently, you could say, particularly with regards to standing my ground on set."It's very commonplace in the culture for young actors to be controlled, and the way they strive to do that is by always being like, 'Oh, don't become difficult. Don't be a pain in the ass. Or Are you complaining, are you being difficult?' Things like that."Representatives for Wes Ball, the director of "The Maze Runner: The Death Cure," and 20th Century Studios did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.There have been a number of incidents in recent years where stunts have gone wrong and severely injured or killed people on film sets. In 2021, actor<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/alec-baldwin-shooting-rust-cinematographer-dead-timeline-2021-10"> Alec Baldwin accidentally shot</a> and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins while filming "Rust."In July 2023, California passed a bill imposing tighter guidelines and restrictions for gun safety on film sets in the state.

Dylan O'Brien says he was ignored when he raised safety concerns about a stunt that left him 'broken' 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Tesla is recalling 1.8 million cars in the US, the NHTSA said.</li><li>The concerns revolve around issues with the software that detects when a hood is unlatched.</li></ul><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla">Tesla</a> is recalling 1.8 million cars in the US due to issues with the hood, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.The concerns revolve around issues with the software that detects when a hood is unlatched, the NHTSA said. If a hood is unlatched, there is a risk it could open fully, obstruct the driver's view, and cause a crash.The recall applies to certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The NHTSA said Tesla has released an over-the-air software update to fix the issue.In 2021, Tesla recalled <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-recalls-nearly-500000-cars-hoods-open-while-driving-2021-12">500,000 cars </a>due to a similar issue. <a target="_blank" class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V00B">At the time, </a>NHTSA said almost 120,000 Tesla Model S cars could have an issue with the hood not latching closed properly.This ran the risk that the hood "may open unexpectedly" while driving, the authority said.Representatives for the NHTSA and Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment made outside normal working hours.The recall is the latest headache for Elon Musk's EV company.Last month, Tesla was forced to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-recalls-cybertrucks-due-to-wiper-issue-2024-6">recall over 11,000 Cybertrucks over </a>concerns the pickup's giant wiper may stop working. The company also issued a separate recall over the Cybertruck's trunk-bed trim.Since its launch in November, Tesla's pickup has faced a rocky rollout. The truck was also <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-says-cybertruck-faces-enormous-production-challenges-tesla-2023-10">notoriously difficult</a> for Tesla to design and produce.Late last year, Tesla also recalled more than 2 million cars and issued an over-the-air software update after a two-year NHTSA investigation found problems with its Autopilot system.

Tesla faces fresh headache as it recalls 1.8 million vehicles over hood problems

<ul class="summary-list"><li>An Audi driver claimed their car's driver-assistance system almost killed them.</li><li>The driver said the car detected a threat and stopped in the middle of a busy highway. </li></ul>An Audi owner claimed her car's collision-detection technology put her family's life in danger when it caused the car to suddenly stop in the middle of a highway."Audi explain this?" the woman wrote on a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@mnka627/video/7311050539742039301?embed_source=121374463%2C121351166%2C71788790%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%3Bnull%3Bembed_masking&amp;refer=embed&amp;referer_url=www.dailydot.com%2Fnews%2Faudi-self-driving%2F&amp;referer_video_id=7311050539742039301">TikTok</a> post with the dashcam footage of the incident."Our car stopped in the middle of the highway because of your pre sense feature. Apparently this has happened to many other people and you almost killed me and my whole family," the on-screen captions read.In the video's description, the woman wrote that she was in the car with her husband, dog, and 4-month-old child.The Pre Sense feature is Audi's collision-avoidance technology meant to detect potential dangers around the vehicle.It prepares the brakes for an emergency stop or decelerates the car if nothing happens. Some comments suggested they'd been trying to change lanes at a dangerous time and that the car had saved them.In response, the woman said in a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@mnka627/video/7312809629250096389?embed_source=121374463%2C121351166%2C71788790%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%3Bnull%3Bembed_masking&amp;refer=embed&amp;referer_url=www.dailydot.com%2Fnews%2Faudi-self-driving%2F&amp;referer_video_id=7311050539742039301">second TikTok</a> that she had been trying to respond to another car's reckless driving."To everyone saying why did we change lanes: firstly we didn't change a lane, we swerved left because the car behind us was about to hit and they swerved right," she wrote.Experts, including the CEO of an autonomous-vehicle company, have said the widespread use of fully self-driving vehicles is "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fully-self-driving-car-tech-needs-decades-to-develop-2023-10">decades away,</a>" but advanced driver-assistance systems have become standard software additions to newer vehicles.These safety features include blind-spot detection, road-sign recognition, automatic emergency braking, driver-drowsiness detection, and collision intervention.The crash-involvement rate in lane-change crashes for vehicles with blind-sport monitoring was 14% lower than for cars without the technology, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.iihs.org/topics/bibliography/ref/2143">a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety</a>.But errors with the technologies have left carmakers vulnerable to legal challenges.Tesla is facing several <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-autopilot-recall-bolsters-lawsuit-claims-the-feature-dangerous-report-2023-12">lawsuits</a> over crashes linked to its Autosteer feature, while the self-driving-car startup Cruise recently recalled its entire fleet of vehicles following an accident involving a pedestrian.In 2022, another Audi driver claimed the Pre Sense technology on his 2021 Audi Q8 caused his seatbelt to tighten so much that it collapsed his lung while he was at a stoplight, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/audi-safety-feature-goes-haywire-collapses-drivers-lung-lawsuit-claims-15395730">Miami New Times</a> reported.Audi did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment made outside of normal working hours.

Audi driver says their car's Pre Sense safety feature stopped the vehicle in the middle of a highway and almost killed them

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A Rivian R1T, with a curb weight of over 7,100 pounds, tore through a steel guardrail at 60 mph.</li><li>The crash test highlights safety experts' concerns about faster and heavier EVs.</li></ul>A new video of a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rivian-electric-r1t-truck-available-for-lease-future-of-evs-2023-11">Rivian truck</a> bursting through steel guardrails during a crash test highlights some of the safety concerns experts have raised about heavy electric vehicles.Last year, researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Midwest Roadside Safety Facility wanted to see how guardrails that could be used on US roads would perform against a Rivian R1T electric truck, which has a curb weight of over 7,100 pounds.The results aren't pretty.At 60 mph, the Rivian truck blew right through the steel guardrails with little reduction in speed, according to the university's newsroom, <a target="_blank" href="https://news.unl.edu/newsrooms/today/article/nebraska-experts-weigh-highway-safety-and-electric-vehicles/">Nebraska Today</a>.The publication reported that the guardrail was made of 12-gauge corrugated steel attached to 6-inch deep steel posts. The top of the rail is more than two and a half feet above the ground.Spokespersons for the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility and Rivian did not respond to a request for comment.<h2>Bigger the car, deadlier the crash</h2>Safety experts have previously raised concerns about the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/vehicle-related-deaths-increase-car-safety-pedestrians-cyclists-2023-9">risks heavy vehicles</a> and heavier EVs could bring to the roads.Last January, Ann Carlson, the acting administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, told reporters that the agency was "very concerned" about the "degree to which heavier vehicles contribute to greater fatality rates," Reuters reported."Bigger is safer if you don't look at the communities surrounding you and you don't look at the other vehicles on the road," she said. "It actually turns out to be a very complex interaction."An analysis of 18,000 pedestrian crashes published in November by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that pickups, SUVs, and vans with a hood height greater than 40 inches are 45% more likely to cause fatalities than cars with a hood height of 30 inches or less.In the UK, safety experts say the heavier weight could cause <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/heavy-weight-electric-cars-could-cause-aging-parking-lots-collapse-2023-4">older parking garages</a> across the country to collapse.<div type="image" title="A row of black Ford F-150 Lightning pickup trucks." height="2656" width="5312" msid="107377097" hostid="261" sizebytes="811306"></div>The concerns around heavier cars come as the world sees an inflection point between two trends: an increasing appetite for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/road-rage-speeding-driving-traffic-large-expensive-cars-suv-2022-5">larger cars</a> and the adoption — albeit <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/automakers-over-estimated-electric-vehicle-demand-early-adopters-2023-10">a slower one</a> — of EVs.Electric vehicles, small and large, are heavier than their gasoline-powered counterparts due to their batteries.Kevin Heaslip, a professor and director of the Center for Transportation Research at the University of Tennessee, told <a target="_blank" href="https://www.politifact.com/article/2023/jun/21/carry-that-weight-electric-vehicles-outweigh-gas-c/#:~:text=Civil%20and%20environmental%20engineering%20professor,hundreds%20of%20pounds%20or%20more.">Politifact</a> that EVs often weigh 30% more than gas-powered vehicles.At the same time, car makers are seeing more demand for larger vehicles.In recent years, automakers have slowly phased out small car segments, such as the sedan and hatchback, for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cheapest-cars-abandoned-by-automakers-in-search-of-profits-2023-3">SUVs and pickups</a>. The US's top-selling vehicle for more than four decades has been Ford's F-Series trucks, according to an analysis by S&amp;P Global Mobility.As such, EV automakers have little choice but to respond and fill the gap with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/car-buying-tips-electric-vehicles-pricing-americans-pickups-trucks-suvs-2023-2">electric SUVs and trucks</a>."It's no surprise and no coincidence that most of the new models being introduced or planned to be introduced over the coming months are around that segment because that's what we as US consumers want to purchase," Steve Patton, EY America's mobility sector leader, previously told Business Insider's Alexa St. John.<h2>Heavy trucks with Ferrari speed</h2><div type="image" title="GMC Hummer electric vehicle" height="1500" width="3000" msid="107377098" hostid="261" sizebytes="204326"></div>Larger electric vehicles, such as the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gmc-hummer-ev-efficiency-weight-electric-vehicles-pickup-trucks-2022-12">GMC Hummer EV</a> and the Ford <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ford-f150-lightning-platinum-electric-pickup-truck-review-photos-2023-10">F-150 Lightning</a>, have shown that the batteries can add anywhere from two to three tons more weight.The curb weight of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-truck-cybertruck">Tesla's Cybertruck</a> is nearly 7,000 pounds. The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-cybertruck-safety-guideless-missile-experts-say-2023-12">weight, speed, and autopilot capabilities</a> are why one safety expert described the truck as a "fucking deathtrap" and "death machine.""Something like the Cybertruck and the F-150 electric, these things are different," Myles Russell, a Canadian civil engineering technologist, told BI's Madison Hall. "Now you're packing in Ferrari and McLaren-level powers, and even arguably Tesla high-energy vehicles, into the size of a truck."<div type="image" title="Cybertruck" height="1250" width="2500" msid="107377099" hostid="261" sizebytes="257572"></div>Research by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Midwest Roadside Safety Facility found that EVs could crash into roadside barriers with 20% to 50% more impact energy because they're involved in run-off-road crashes at about the same rate and speeds as gasoline vehicles, the university newsroom reported."There is some urgency to address this issue," Cody Stolle, Midwest Roadside Safety Facility's assistant director, told the publication. "As the percentage of EVs on the road increases, the proportion of run-off-road crashes involving EVs will increase, as well."Spokespersons for GMC, Tesla, and Ford did not respond to a request for comment sent outside regular working hours.

A Rivian R1T blew through steel guardrails, reflecting safety experts' warnings about heavy vehicles and even heavier EVs

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Stellantis plans to no longer offer chrome in vehicles due to health and environmental risks, CNN reports.</li><li>Chromium-6, used in chrome plating, can potentially cause cancer to workers who face exposure.</li></ul>There's one design flourish you won't see in upcoming Jeeps or Dodge vehicles: chrome.While historically chrome accents have been used to position a vehicle as higher-end or protect against corrosion, CNN <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/14/cars/chrome-cars-stellantis-jeep-volkswagen-vw/index.html">reports</a> that Stellantis, the company behind Jeep, Dodge, and a dozen other car brands, is switching things up due to concerns over health and environmental risks.The change, internally dubbed the "Death of Chrome" at Stellantis, according to CNN, means new models will be missing the characteristic shine of chrome-plated parts.While the completed product is not believed to be harmful to consumers, hexavalent chromium, also known as chromium-6, is "considered carcinogenic to workers," according to OSHA. The safety regulator <a target="_blank" href="https://www.osha.gov/hexavalent-chromium/health-effects">says</a> workers who inhale fumes or physically contact the chrome are at increased risk of developing lung, nasal, and sinus cancer.Chromium pollution also poses <a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33607566/">notable environmental concerns</a>, potentially affecting soil, crops, and ecosystems upon contamination. In 2019, a Detroit interstate had to be <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/detroit-interstate-closed-after-cancer-causing-chromium-6-leak-2019-12">closed down</a> due to a hexavalent chromium spill from an electroplating plant to prevent water contamination.The National Association for Surface Finishing, an organization that represents the surface-coating industry, including chrome platers, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/14/cars/chrome-cars-stellantis-jeep-volkswagen-vw/index.html">told</a> CNN that despite increasing safety measures, they were working to transition to the "safest and most sustainable alternatives and replacements."A replacement that offers the same qualities as a finish sounds unlikely for production vehicles at this time. Stellantis' chief global designer, Ralph Gilles, told CNN that safer alternatives to chromium-6, like trivalent chrome, typically have a lesser-quality luster and the company will need to figure out a way to get people to fall out of love with traditional chrome.Therefore rather than trying to replicate the signature finish, Stellantis plans to promote completely new designs. For example, blacked-out models like the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.chrysler.com/pacifica.html">Chrysler Pacifica S Package</a> replace typically chrome elements like trim pieces and badges with a black finish. Other alternatives include using light for accents or polished stainless steel, though that can be pricier to manufacture.Stellantis told CNN that it hopes these new looks will incentivize consumers to ditch the classic chrome look and sport a new kind of shine.Stellantis did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment ahead of publication.

Why the company behind Jeep and Dodge will no longer offer chrome in new vehicles

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Tesla is recalling over 11,000 Cybertrucks over concerns the pickup's giant wiper may stop working.</li><li>The automaker is also issuing a separate recall over the Cybertruck's trunk-bed trim.</li></ul>Tesla is recalling over 11,000 Cybertrucks because of an issue with the vehicle's windscreen wiper.The automaker will replace wiper motors on all affected vehicles over fears they could become damaged and stop working due to "electrical overstress," a <a target="_blank" href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V456-3775.PDF">recall report issued by regulators said.</a>The recall includes all model year 2024 Cybertrucks manufactured from November 13, 2023, to June 6, 2024. The defect affects an estimated 2% of recalled vehicles, the report said.Tesla is also issuing a <a target="_blank" href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V457-8511.PDF">separate recall</a> for 11,383 Cybertrucks over concerns that a trim in the trunk bed could have been improperly attached.It follows <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/17/24180519/tesla-cybertruck-deliveries-windshield-wiper-issue">reports earlier in June</a> suggested that Tesla had delayed Cybertruck deliveries because of problems with the pickup truck's wiper. Some people who said they owned a Cybertruck <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cybertruckownersclub.com/forum/threads/cybertruck-deliveries-suspended-temporarily-due-to-windshield-wiper-motor-issue.18736/page-2#post-338873">complained on Tesla forums</a> about issues with the vehicles' single gigantic windshield wiper.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's recall report said Tesla first identified wiper motor failures on some Cybertrucks in February, before voluntarily issuing a recall on June 12.The company is not aware of any collisions, injuries, or deaths relating to the fault, the report said.The Cybertruck's huge single wiper attracted much speculation in the lead-up to the futuristic vehicle's release.The initial design <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-cybertruck-windshield-wiper-wet-noodle-youtube-review-2024-1">didn't even have wipers</a>, and Elon Musk has admitted their was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/10/22828220/tesla-cybertruck-prototype-drone-shot-windshield-wiper-elon-musk">"no easy solution"</a> to clearing the Cybertruck's massive front window.The two recalls are the latest blow to the Cybertruck, which was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-says-cybertruck-faces-enormous-production-challenges-tesla-2023-10">notoriously difficult</a> for Tesla to design and produce.The automaker was previously forced <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-recalls-cybertrucks-accelerator-fault-pad-pedal-electric-vehicle-truck-2024-4">to recall</a> about 3,878 vehicles over a flaw that could cause the accelerator to jam open. At the time of the recall, it reportedly covered almost every Cybertruck shipped to customers since launch.Do you own a Cybertruck or have a tip? Get in touch with this reporter via email at <a target="_blank" href="mailto:tcarter@businessinsider.com">tcarter@businessinsider.com</a>.

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