Urban pedestrians are up to three times more likely to be hit by electric car than petrol or diesel model, study finds

Pedestrians in urban areas face a three-fold higher risk of being hit by an electric car than a petrol or diesel model, a study has found.

Higher levels of background noise means those living in cities and towns are at greater risk of accidents involving electric cars, which tend to be quieter than traditional vehicles.

But, even in the countryside, the risk is twice as great with the eco-friendly transport when compared to other cars.

Researchers compared the differences in pedestrian casualty rates for every 100million miles of road travel in the UK between electric or hybrid and cars using fossil fuel, using Road Safety Data between 2013-17.

There were 916,713 casualties from reported traffic collisions and 120,197 involved pedestrians. The London School of Tropical Medicine reports the average annual casualty rates of pedestrians per 100 million miles of road travel were 5.16 for electric and hybrid vehicles and 2.40 for petrol and diesel vehicles.

The London School of Tropical Medicine reports the average annual casualty rates of pedestrians per 100 million miles of road travel were 5.16 for electric and hybrid vehicles and 2.40 for petrol and diesel vehicles (Stock Photo)

Collisions with pedestrians were, on average, twice as likely with electric and hybrid cars than petrol and diesel vehicles, and three times as likely in urban areas, say researchers.

Since 2021, new electric vehicles in the UK are required to generate sound to reduce any risk posed to pedestrians.