Credit: crashnet1/ YouTube/ MotorAuthority
High level of safety is, in part, fundamental to the design:
• Battery mounted under the floor yields a low centre of gravity & a high score in the roll over test.
• Low centre of gravity also improves handling, making an accident less likely in the first place.
• Motor is small & mounted near the rear axle. This makes crumple zones bigger, particularly in the front.
Other safety elements are add ons, such as the multiple deep aluminum extrusions in the side rails to improve side impact protection.
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1086354_tesla-model-s-rated-as-safest-car-on-sale-by-nhtsa
Tesla press release
http://www.teslamotors.com/en_AU/about/press/releases/tesla-model-s-achieves-best-safety-rating-any-car-ever-tested / Independent testing National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA awarded Tesla Model S 5-star safety rating overall every subcategory without exception one percent car cars tested test tests federal government achieve 5 stars across the board NHTSA publish star rating above 5 safety levels better than 5 stars captured overall Vehicle Safety Score VSS manufacturer manufacture manufacturers Model S achieved new combined record of 5.4 stars vehicles tested including every major make model approved sale United States Model S new record lowest likelihood injury occupants Model S sedan exceeded safety score all SUVs minivans score probability injury front side rear rollover accidents accident advantage front not having a large gasoline engine block creating longer crumple zone absorb high speed impact fundamental fundamentally force over distance problem longer crumple zone more time slow down occupants g loads cause injuries injury jumping pool water tall height pool deep not contain rocks motor mounted close to the rear axle internal combustion gasoline engine second trunk boot side pole intrusion test most difficult to pass only car good category top one percent of vehicles tested preserved 63.5 percent of driver residual space vs. 7.8 percent Tesla achieved outcome nesting multiple deep aluminum extrusions side rail car absorb impact energy transfer load to the rest of the vehicle occupant rear crash testing optional third row child children's seat install installs double bumper ordered protect against highway speed impact rear permanently disabling injury third row occupants substantially better in rollover risk independent facility the Model S refused to turn over normal methods exceptional handling and safety roof crush protection LiIon lithium ion lithium-ion battery did not catch fire EV electric vehicle ICE /
