A big truck called Rivian R1T crashed into a strong fence on the road. The fence was not strong enough to stop the truck and it broke through easily. This makes people worried because more heavy electric cars are being used on roads now, and they might also break through the fences if they crash. They need to find better ways to protect everyone on the road. Read from source...
- The article title is misleading and sensationalized. It implies that the Rivian R1T truck is inherently unsafe or defective because it tore through a guardrail system designed for lighter vehicles. This is not necessarily true, as the test results may reflect more on the inadequacy of the guardrails than on the performance of the EV truck.
- The article uses vague and unsupported terms such as "concerning" and "effective" without providing any quantitative or comparative data to back them up. For example, it does not specify how much force or energy was transferred to the vehicle occupants during the crash test, nor how this compares to the Tesla Model 3 or other conventional vehicles of similar size and weight. It also does not explain what criteria are used to measure the effectiveness of a guardrail system, or how these criteria have changed over time due to advances in vehicle technology and materials.
- The article relies heavily on quotes from a single source, Cody Stolle, who is the assistant director of the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility. While he may be an expert in road safety, his views are not necessarily representative of the entire scientific or engineering community that deals with EVs and guardrails. The article should have included more perspectives from other researchers, regulators, manufacturers, or stakeholders who may have different opinions or recommendations on how to address the issue of heavier EVs and roadside safety.
- The article uses emotive language and imagery to evoke fear and sympathy among the readers. For instance, it mentions that "thousands of fatalities occur every year as a result of 100,000 run-off-road crashes involving roadside barriers", without providing any context or comparison on how these numbers have changed over time, or how they relate to the specific risk of crashing in an EV. It also shows a dramatic photo of the torn guardrail and the Rivian truck, which may create a false impression that this is a common or frequent occurrence, rather than a rare and isolated incident.
1. Buy Rivian (RIVN) - the company is innovating in the EV space and has a competitive advantage over other manufacturers, especially regarding heavy electric vehicles. The R1T truck's performance in crash tests may be concerning for some consumers, but it also showcases the vehicle's strength and durability, which could attract more buyers who value safety. Rivian has a partnership with Amazon (AMZN) for 100,000 electric delivery vehicles, which is a significant contract that will boost its revenue and market share in the coming years.