This extra mass impacts infrastructure, cost of living and even emissions.

Due to the weight of their batteries, EVs weigh significantly more than similar-sized ICE vehicles. This extra weight has a negative impact on infrastructure, the cost of living and emissions. Yes, EVs do produce emissions, and this will be explained in this article.

Possibility of failure

I could provide numerous references filled with data, but in this article, I am simply appealing to common sense. Picture a 300-lb (136 kg) person continually using a Grade 3 / 200-lb (91 kg) rating ladder. There is a high possibility the ladder will fail, resulting in disaster.

A Kia Niro Hybrid has a curb weight of 3,247 lbs (1473 kg). A Kia Niro EV weighs 3,802 lbs. (1725 kg). The EV weighs 17% more than the Hybrid. Compare these two to the similar-sized Kia Steltos ICE at 2,970 lbs (1347 kg). While both Niros are heavier, the EV is 832 lbs. (377 kg), or 28% heavier than the Seltos ICE.

The Seltos and the Niro have a similar footprint on the road with similar dimensions and wheelbases. They use the same tire size, 215/55R17, so the contact patches with the surface are very similar. You can park them in the same size parking spots, and they require the same amount of “road space” when driving.

Infrastructure impact

Unfortunately, the Niro EV has a much higher negative impact on infrastructure. It applies more pounds per square inch, 28% more, to any surface it drives on, is parked on, or impacts. Think of a multi-story parking garage built in the 1970s that is in service today and is supposed to have a useful life for many decades to come.

Many of our iconic downtown office towers fit this criterion. Can their parking decks accommodate a 28% increase in pounds per square inch pressure? In an EV future, parking garages may have to restrict the number of vehicles per deck, leaving spots empty and reducing their overall capacity. This will drive up the cost of parking.

On the road, the Niro EV, with its 832 lbs. (377 kg) of extra weight, has an increased negative impact on the road surface. Heavier vehicles wear the road surface at a higher rate, resulting in more road repairs and more frequent resurfacing, driving up the cost of maintaining our road system.

As tires wear, they produce particulate emissions. The heavy Niro EV, like other electric vehicles, will experience a higher rate of tire wear producing more particulate emissions, related to its ICE counterpart.

More mass

It gets worse with larger vehicles. A GMC Sierra 1500 V8 four-door 4×4 pickup has a curb weight of 5,110 lbs. (2318 kg) compared to a GMC Hummer EV 4×4 pickup at 9,063 lbs. (4110 kg). The Hummer is 3,953 lbs. (1793 kg), or 77% heavier.

With commercial vehicles, the extra weight of the EV battery reduces cargo capacity. A 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter has a maximum payload of 2624 lbs. (1,190 kg) versus 3814 lbs. (1,730 kg) for the ICE version. 31% less payload due to the heavy battery. Medium and heavy trucks will have the same problem. It will cost more to carry less, and we will pay higher prices for goods and services.

Upgrades

Existing infrastructure, roads, bridges, guardrails, etc., designed for lighter ICE vehicles, will eventually have to be upgraded or replaced to handle EVs and their higher weights. This will come at a very high cost.

Be prepared for the EV future with higher taxes, more harmful particulates in the air you breathe and higher costs for goods and services.