The hidden impact of overweight electric SUVs on America’s roads and bridge infrastructure

The rise of heavy electric SUVs

Electric SUVs are growing in popularity across America. But with bigger batteries comes more weight, making these cars much heavier than gas-powered ones.

These added pounds may not seem like a big deal, but they can actually put more pressure on roads and bridges. As electric vehicles grow in number, their effect on infrastructure grows too.

Why are EVs heavier than gas cars?

Electric vehicles use large batteries that add hundreds of pounds to the car. A typical EV can weigh about 30% more than its gas twin.

For example, the Hyundai Kona EV weighs 3,571 pounds compared to 3,005 for its gas model. This weight difference is key when looking at road damage.

The Ford F-150 Lightning example

The electric Ford F-150 Lightning is one of the most popular EV trucks today. It weighs 6,015 pounds, a big jump from the 4,391 pounds of the gas-powered F-150 XL.

That’s a 37% increase in its weight. These heavier EV trucks may cause more wear and tear on our roads.

Trump’s bridge rebuild claim

President Donald Trump recently claimed that EV trucks are so heavy they’d require rebuilding every bridge in the U.S. While that’s not exactly true, the weight difference between EVs and gas vehicles is real.

Experts admit EVs put extra stress on aging bridges, especially smaller ones. As more EVs hit the road, the need for stronger infrastructure becomes more urgent.

Roads in poor condition

The American Society of Civil Engineers says 43% of U.S. roads are in poor or fair shape. Out of 617,000 bridges, over 46,000 are called “structurally deficient.”

That means they’re not unsafe now, but need serious repairs. When heavier vehicles like EVs drive over them daily, they may break down faster, which could lead to higher repair costs and longer travel delays.

Experts weigh in

Kancheepuram Gunalan, a civil engineer, says the worst damage comes from massive 18-wheelers. These trucks weigh around 80,000 pounds and pound highways every day.

Still, adding more electric SUVs, which are heavier than gas ones, will increase damage. The roads might handle one heavy truck, but thousands of heavy EVs every day create long-term pressure that’s hard to ignore.

EVs and safety barriers

Tests by the University of Nebraska showed electric vehicles can crash through safety barriers. A crash test by the University of Nebraska in 2022 showed a Rivian R1T breaching a guardrail, raising concerns about whether the current safety infrastructure can handle heavier EVs.

These results show that safety devices built for lighter cars may not work with heavy EVs. As more of these vehicles hit the roads, safety concerns will continue to grow fast.

Pedestrian safety risks

Heavier vehicles don’t just affect roads; they also increase risks to people. Studies show that adding 1,000 pounds to a car raises the chance of killing a pedestrian by 47%.

Many electric SUVs are heavy enough to make a real difference in crashes. As cities promote walking and biking, this growing danger to people on foot must be taken seriously.

More weight, more potholes

A study from Britain found that electric cars create twice as much wear on road surfaces as gas cars. The extra weight pushes down harder on the pavement, causing cracks.

These cracks grow into potholes, which are expensive and dangerous. With EVs getting more popular, the number of potholes and the cost to fix them could both double in the future.

The asphalt cost crisis

Fixing roads is not cheap; repaving just one mile can cost up to $1 million. Heavier electric cars make this cost go up, because they cause more damage faster.

When cracks and potholes spread, repair crews must act quickly. If they don’t, roads fall apart, and the price tag gets even higher for cities, states, and the people who live there.

America’s infrastructure grade

In 2021, the U.S. earned a C- on its infrastructure report card. That’s not a great score for the world’s richest country.

Roads and bridges are already aging and under pressure from traffic. If we don’t invest in repairs now, heavier vehicles like electric SUVs will cause more damage, leading to more delays, higher repair bills, and greater safety concerns.

Local roads are at higher risk

Big highways are designed for heavy trucks, but neighborhood roads are not. Local streets can crack and sink faster when heavy EVs drive over them.

Smaller towns may not have money for frequent repairs. Experts say these local roads are where the most damage from electric vehicles could happen, especially as more people buy larger and heavier electric cars.

Car haulers face weight limits

Trucks that deliver EVs also face weight rules from the government. They can only carry up to 80,000 pounds, which includes the truck, trailer, and the electric cars.

As more EVs are shipped, truckers want this weight limit increased. But raising the limit could put even more pressure on roads already struggling to handle today’s heavy loads.

What about preventative maintenance?

Preventing damage is cheaper than fixing it later. Experts say early repairs cost 14 times less than full road rebuilds. Cities can save money by spotting cracks before they grow.

With so many new EVs adding stress, keeping roads in shape through smart, early maintenance could be the best way to protect the roads and keep drivers safe.

How automakers are responding

Car makers know weight is a problem and are working on fixes. Stellantis, a big automaker, says battery weight must be cut in half to help roads and the environment.

Lighter batteries would mean less stress on bridges and streets. If car companies make lighter EVs, the future of electric driving could be safer, smarter, and smoother for everyone.

Even as companies like Tesla innovate, they’re also guarding sensitive information. Tesla pushes to keep Robotaxi safety details confidential as scrutiny around EV safety continues to grow.

What do you think? Should EV makers and governments do more to protect our roads from the weight of electric SUVs?

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.