Evaluation of Crash Protection for Hybrid Electrical Vehicle under Rear Impact

This paper explores issues related to the implementation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 305 in the Korean Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (KMVSS) No. 91. Two rear impact tests on generic hybrid electrical vehicles (HEVs) are performed. HEV batteries are mounted in the trunks of similar gasoline-powered vehicles. One vehicle is impacted by a barrier moving at the speed of 48 kph. The other vehicle is impacted by a deformable barrier moving at the speed of 80 kph. Results of the tests are reported as accelerations of the battery and B-pillar and as deformations of overall vehicle, trunk, and occupant compartment. The results show that the 80 kph impact condition is very severe and that crash protection for occupants is expected to be more challenging than for other crash scenarios.