How ‘safe’ is your EV? Safest budget-friendly electric cars ranked


By Dr. Tim Sandle
DIGITAL JOURNA;
May 2, 2025


Tesla, whose electric Cybertruck is pictured, is a potential manufacturer of 'armored electric vehicles' for the US government - Copyright AFP/File Patrick T. Fallon

Electric vehicles with similar crash rates can differ significantly in price, indicating safety and affordability do not always go hand in hand.

A recent study by ranks electric vehicles (EVs) based on a composite score that equally weights ‘crashability’ and affordability. ‘Crashability’ was calculated using fatal crash data for 4 years, normalized as crashes per 10,000 cars sold. Affordability was measured using each vehicle’s starting MSRP.

These two metrics were combined using Min-Max Scaling to generate a balanced composite score. Rankings highlight EVs that offer the strongest combination of low crash risk and entry-level pricing. The research comes from the Bruning Law Firm.

Hyundai Kona Electric ranks first, offering the best blend of low crash rate and starting price among all EVs analysed. The outcomes were:

Car model	Total Vehicles Involved in Fatal Crashes (2019-2022)	Total Sales (2019-2022)	Crashes per 10K Cars (Total)	Starting MSRP	Composite Score
Hyundai Kona Electric	2	20,803	0.96	$32,975	82.09
Chevrolet Bolt EV	21	100,015	2.10	$30,000	81.59
Ford Mustang Mach-E	2	69,995	0.29	$38,490	80.52
Nissan Leaf	26	48,193	5.39	$28,140	76.85
VOLKSWAGEN ID.4	2	37,253	0.54	$46,520	76.13
TESLA MODEL Y	49	484,933	1.01	$46,000	75.58
Audi e-tron	2	38,292	0.52	$49,800	74.55
TESLA MODEL 3	147	574,655	2.56	$44,130	73.83
Kia Niro	53	19,938	26.58	$20,490	44.15
Hyundai Ioniq	36	12,393	29.05	$42,600	28.99

As indicated above, Hyundai Kona Electric ranks first with a composite score of 82, offering the best balance of safety and price among all models analysed. With just 0.96 crashes per 10K cars and a base MSRP of $32,975, it scores high on both metrics. Though not the cheapest on the list, its lower crash rate contributes significantly to its top placement.

Coming in second with a composite score of 81, the Chevrolet Bolt EV delivers a strong mix of affordability and crash performance. With a starting price of $30,000, it is one of the most affordable options. It experiences 2.10 crashes, a higher rate than some top contenders, but its low MSRP boosts its affordability score enough to earn it the second spot overall.

In third place, the Ford Mustang Mach-E earns a score of 80, driven mainly by its class-leading crash safety. It logs only 0.29 adjusted crashes, the lowest crash rate of any EV analyzed. Its higher MSRP of $38,490 slightly reduces its affordability score, pushing it into third place despite leading in safety.

The Volkswagen ID.4 holds the fourth spot with a score of 76, providing a solid mix of safety and cost-efficiency. It has a moderate crash rate of 0.54 and a starting price of $46,520. While not the cheapest, its strong crash performance keeps it among the top five.

The Nissan Leaf secures the fifth spot, supported by its relatively low price point. Although the Leaf logs 5.39 crashes, one of the highest among top-half vehicles, its $28,140 starting price helps it secure a solid ranking. Its popularity as an early-market EV may contribute to its higher crash exposure.

Tesla’s Model Y takes sixth place with a score of 75. Holding the seventh position, the Audi e-tron earns a score of 74 by pairing low crash rates with a luxury price tag. With a score of 73, Tesla’s Model 3 comes in eighth, impacted by both its crash rate and price point.

The Kia Niro ranks ninth with a score of 44, reflecting its imbalance between low pricing and high crash frequency. Finishing in tenth place with a composite score of 28.99, the Hyundai Ioniq trails the list in both crash safety and affordability.