**Transport Canada Report: Road Safety Regulations Lag Behind Electric Vehicle Hazards**
Published on October 15, 2025 • 2-minute read
A recent report from Transport Canada highlights that Canadian road safety regulations are not keeping up with the risks associated with heavier electric vehicles (EVs). According to Blacklock’s Reporter, the report emphasizes that the substantial weight of large batteries in EVs is a significant factor in collisions.
The report, titled “Evaluation of Road Safety Programs,” identifies the electrification of vehicles as a critical element affecting both road safety and the automotive industry. It notes that the increased weight of electric vehicles has rendered existing regulations outdated.
The authors of the report state, “The considerable weight of electric vehicle batteries introduces unique safety challenges.” They point out that electric vehicles can weigh hundreds of pounds more than comparable gasoline-powered cars, which raises safety concerns in collisions with lighter vehicles. Additionally, some heavier EV models may not even meet Transport Canada’s testing standards.
For instance, an electric Ford F-150 pickup can weigh 6,015 pounds (approximately 2.7 metric tonnes), which is about 50% more than a standard gasoline-powered F-150, according to Kelley Blue Book. The GMC Hummer EV SUV, weighing over 9,000 pounds, is noted as the heaviest electric vehicle on the market.
The report cites an anonymous manager who expressed concerns that regulations were never intended to apply to passenger vehicles weighing three or four tonnes. “Electric vehicles are getting heavier, and our performance requirements are based on weight,” the manager stated. “There may come a time when they are no longer subject to the requirements because they exceed the limits.”
Transport Canada acknowledged that “emerging gaps like these highlight the necessity of updated regulations.” However, while the Environment Department has mandated electric vehicle sales quotas, it has only briefly mentioned road safety issues.
A 2022 regulatory impact analysis indicated that insurance payouts for electric vehicles are higher due to their increased weight from onboard batteries. Initial mandates called for a 20% sales quota for new 2026 model vehicles, but Prime Minister Mark Carney suspended this initiative in September.
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