Tampa Bay Injury Attorney Blog
As electric vehicles gain popularity, new data show that Pasco County tops the Tampa Bay area in EV usage.
According to the mobility analytics firm Replica, Pasco residents drive more EV miles than residents in any other Bay Area county.
This year, Replica data showed an expected 352 EV miles per 1,000 Pasco County people. This is six miles more than the next-highest county in the Bay area, Manatee County. It is also 58% greater than Pinellas County, which has a higher population density.
Authorities anticipate that the number of EVs on the road will rise as they install more charging stations around Pasco County.
Pasco and Manatee counties were both among the top ten counties in Florida for EV use.
Duval County, Volusia County, Orange County, and Brevard County also took top spots for EV use in 2023.
Electric vehicles, or EVs, are gaining popularity by the day. With the promise of being more environmentally friendly and less expensive to operate, it is no surprise that consumers are abandoning gas-powered vehicles, especially with commutes from Pasco County to Tampa Bay or St. Petersburg totaling 60-65 miles roundtrip.
Are EV’s Safe?
There are several hazards related to electric vehicles that you need to be mindful of, such as:
- Electric vehicles have a high risk of injuring non-motorists, such bikers and pedestrians. The relatively quiet operation of electric vehicles is one of their primary risks. Since electric cars are almost silent when in motion, pedestrians who might not be able to hear the automobile approaching face a risk.
- This is especially critical for visually impaired individuals who rely on the sound of a passing car to keep them clear from danger.
- Electric cars have the potential to catch fire. Fires can occur if the battery or the vehicle’s charging system have a problem. Firefighters used 30,000 gallons of water in an unsuccessful attempt to put out the fire in a fatal crash involving a Tesla that struck a tree and caught fire in 2021. After several hours, the firefighters gave up and let the fire extinguish on its own.
- Hazardous poisons may be released into the environment by the batteries in electric cars.
- Given the high cost of their batteries, electric vehicles are more vulnerable to theft.
- After an EV crash, first responders are at risk of electrocution.
How Can You Stay Safe After an EV Accident?
You can better protect yourself in an electric vehicle accident by taking the following actions:
- Turn off the vehicle and step away from it.
- Get checked out by a doctor, even if you think you are fine.
- Inform the police as soon as you can. Then contact your insurance company to notify them of the accident.
- Document everything you can and, if possible, get witness statements and contact information.
- Give our Pasco County Car Accident Lawyers a call at 727-847-2299.