Study Says Lighter, Smaller Cars Can Still Be Plenty Safe

When going to buy a car, most people instinctively think bigger equals safer. This is not necessarily the case, according to a report issued by the Rocky Mountain Institute.

The report, titled “Triple Safety,” points out that cars have dynamic components, and it’s not as simple as saying a lighter object will lose to a heavier object. Though the laws of physics would suggest this, cars are not simple objects. Equipped with structural advantages like crush zones that can absorb an impact, cars that make use of certain materials can be just as safe as their larger counterparts.

In addition, these small vehicles constructed with light-weight aluminum, other composite materials, or those forged with nanotechnology, can be lighter and more fuel efficient. As automakers move toward the new 2015 fuel economy goal, they’ll have this concept in mind, but it’s also important that consumers understand it as well.

Lighter Cars Promoted for Safety, Better Mileage (MarketWatch via Technoride)