Driver’s Terrifying Experience Highlights Growing Issue of Sudden Unintended Acceleration in Electric Vehicles

Nathan Owen’s Near-Fatal Drive on the M62 Motorway

It was an encounter with death that Nathan Owen narrowly escaped when his Jaguar I-Pace, without warning, increased its speed to a harrowing 100mph. Our source reported that the vehicle sped uncontrollably along the M62 motorway revealing a flaw in its braking system. Owen’s case of sudden unintended acceleration (SUA) lasted for 35 strenuous minutes before the authorities intervened, skillfully crowding the car until it ran out of battery power.

The Growing Concern of SUA in Electric Vehicles

Our sources have learned from the UK crash investigator TRL that incidents like this one are not isolated. They are part of an increasing trend that notably involves electric vehicles (EVs). SUA incidents are recognised by a rapid, uncontrolled increase in vehicle speed, usually coupled with an inexplicable failure of the braking system.

Stopping an electric vehicle under SUA is considerably more complicated than stopping one with a combustion engine. Driver training specialist Paul Ripley suggested maintaining calm during such situations and advised attempting to shift the gear to neutral mode to disengage power.

SUA: Pedal Confusion and Software Errors

Our source elucidates two primary culprits behind SUA – pedal confusion and software errors in the powertrain’s control module. Pedal confusion becomes more common when factors like utilizing cruise control come into play and is a notable cause of accidents. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) approximates 16,000 accidents each year to be an outcome of pedal confusion.

Recalls Zoom in on SUA Issues in Electric Vehicles

Our sources also report of recent recalls shedding light on the widespread nature of the predicament. Nissan’s recall of its 2018-2023 Leaf EVs due to possible software issues causing unintended acceleration is just one example. Other models showcasing signs of SUA include the Smart ForTwo and Renault Twingo, along with other Jaguar I-Pace instances.

Conclusion

This growing prominence of SUA incidents particularly in electric vehicles marks an urgent requirement for further research and investigation into safety measures. As the shift towards greener transport options continues, it is crucial that these evolving technologies are safe and reliable for the road users of today and tomorrow.