Tesla is announcing that its Model S scored top marks for safety according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), not only scoring a perfect five stars in every category, but setting a new record for the combined Vehicle Safety Score (VSS) — a total that can be higher than the five-star scores for top, side, and rear impact. The Model S scored 5.4, beating out previous record holders and for the first time making an electric vehicle the safest car on the road.
Tesla points out that even though the Model S is a sedan, it scored higher than every minivan and SUV that was tested as well. It also notes that unlike gas vehicles, there's no engine block in the front of the Model S (the electric motor is apparently only about a foot in diameter), giving it comparatively more space to crumple and slow down its occupants, exemplified in the video above. If you'd like to read more about how the Model S managed to score so well, check the source link below.