A Glimpse into the Future of Automotive Safety as Mercedes crashes two of its electric vehicles 

Mercedes-Benz, a brand synonymous with luxury and innovation, is setting its sights on an ambitious goal – eliminating car crashes by the year 2050. While the idea of a world without accidents may seem like a far-off dream, the automaker is taking concrete steps towards this vision.

In a recent display of their commitment to Safety and electric vehicles, Mercedes-Benz conducted a groundbreaking crash test involving two electric vehicles. The collision between an EQS SUV and an EQA crossover SUV was a head-on impact with a 50% frontal overlap, with both vehicles hurtling towards each other at 35 mph (56 kph). Notably, this scenario exceeded the standards of any standardized crash test conducted by safety rating agencies.

Despite the dramatic impact, the result was remarkable. While both vehicles were rendered total losses, the passenger cells and high-voltage battery packs remained fully intact. This outcome underscores the automaker's commitment to Electric Vehicle Safety, ensuring that they are no less secure than their gas-powered counterparts.

Mercedes-Benz is not stopping at this successful crash test. In the quest for safety, they planned a roof-crush test for the following day, where the damaged EQS would be dropped onto its roof. This approach reveals the brand's dedication to thoroughly testing and improving electric vehicle safety standards.

Mercedes-Benz acknowledges the challenges that lie ahead on the road to zero accidents. According to Paul Dick, Director of Vehicle Safety at Mercedes-Benz, there are a staggering 1.3 million road fatalities worldwide each year, equivalent to 12 large planes full of people lost daily. The automaker's vision for 2050 is to ensure that none of its vehicles are involved in accidents. However, as long as the world has a mix of human-driven and autonomous vehicles, uncontrolled variables will remain that can lead to accidents.

Julien Richert, responsible for Mercedes-Benz's ESF program (Experimental Safety Vehicles), points out that even in an autonomous future, unforeseen and uncontrollable factors such as falling tree limbs can still pose risks. Future vehicles must be capable of communicating with the surrounding environment, including pedestrians and other drivers. This may involve innovative solutions such as teal-colored lighting elements on Mercedes Drive Pilot vehicles or interactive windows that display graphics or live image feeds.

Mercedes-Benz is taking a phased approach to safety, regardless of the vehicle's powertrain. Phase 1 focuses on assistance and employs active safety technologies, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, automatic emergency braking, and the hands-free autonomous Drive Pilot system. Phase 2, the preparation phase, comes into play when sensors detect an impending collision. Here, safety measures such as rolling up windows, tightening seatbelt tensioners, and pre-charging airbags take place.

Phase 3 is the protect phase, involving the deployment of all available airbags within the vehicle. Notably, the 2021 S-Class introduced a rear airbag mounted on the front seat backs for rear seat passengers, improving safety measures further. In Phase 4, known as the help phase, the system triggers alerts, illuminates hazard lights, initiates an emergency shutdown of the high-voltage electrical system in electric vehicles, and connects to an emergency call center for immediate assistance.

All Mercedes-Benz vehicles are equipped with a black box (which is, curiously, yellow) positioned at the vehicle's center. This acts as the vehicle's central hub for all safety systems and can provide crash data when needed.

In an ever-evolving automotive landscape, Mercedes-Benz's approach to safety remains at the forefront. The recent crash test, featuring electric vehicles, symbolizes the brand's commitment to safety innovation while preparing for an electric future. Mercedes-Benz is not just dreaming of a world without car crashes; they're actively working towards making that dream a reality.