231012 EV Crash 044

The Rivian is parked against the guard rail at the angle it will hit during the crash. In research sponsored by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Midwest Roadside Safety Facility is investigating the safety and military defense questions raised by the burgeoning number of electric vehicles on the nation’s roadways. crash test performed on a guardrail on October 12, 2023, highlighted the concern. At 60 mph, the 7,000-plus-pound, 2022 Rivian R1T truck tore through a commonly used guardrail system with little reduction in speed. October 12, 2023. Photo by Craig Chandler / University Communication and Marketing.