ON Oct 12, 2026, a devastating six-vehicle collision on Jalan Kuching in Kuala Lumpur claimed the life of a five-year-old girl.
She was seated in the rear passenger seat of her family’s Perodua Bezza when a BYD Seal, driven by a 24-year-old, rammed into a motorcycle and the Bezza in slow-moving traffic. The sheer force of the rear-end impact caused the Bezza to spin and crash into three other vehicles.
This incident serves as an urgent wake-up call about the need to understand the differences between driving an electric vehicle (EV) and a car powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE).
With EV adoption accelerating across Malaysia, it is crucial to understand the risks posed by their considerable weight and instant torque. Unlike ICE cars, which typically build up engine revolutions before delivering peak power, EVs deliver near-instant torque, enabling rapid acceleration.
A BYD Seal Performance AWD delivers 100% of its 670Nm of torque and 530 horsepower (390kW) the millisecond the accelerator is pressed, rocketing the car from 0-100kph in a mere 3.8 seconds. Even the base rear-wheel-drive (RWD) variant produces 313hp and 360 m of torque. Due to their massive battery packs, EVs are incredibly heavy.
The BYD Seal weighs between 2,030kg (RWD) and 2,185kg (AWD). By comparison, a standard Perodua Bezza weighs roughly 900 to 940kg. When a 2.1-tonne vehicle moving at high speed rear-ends a 900kg vehicle, the transfer of kinetic energy is devastating.
The extreme weight of an EV also means that once it gains momentum, it requires significantly more braking distance to come to a complete stop compared to a lighter ICE car.
When you combine instantaneous, silent acceleration with a two-tonne mass, an inexperienced, fatigued or distracted driver can lose control before they even realise how fast they are travelling.
To prevent further tragedies on our congested roads, a collective shift in driver behaviour, education and regulation is necessary. For EV owners and drivers, it is crucial to respect the pedal. Treat the accelerator with extreme caution.
In slow-moving traffic or residential areas, practice feathering the pedal. A heavy foot in an EV does not result in a slow rev; it results in a violent lurch forward.
Utilise “Eco” or “Chill” modes for daily city commuting to limit power output and smooth out the acceleration curve.
Account for braking distance and never tailgate, remembering that a two-tonne vehicle cannot stop on a dime, especially if you are not accustomed to the regenerative braking dynamics.
For authorities, dealerships and policymakers, mandatory familiarisation handovers must be implemented. Dealerships should provide a comprehensive briefing on the physics of instant torque and the implications of vehicle weight before handing over the keys to a new EV owner.
Furthermore, driving schools and licensing authorities (JPJ) should update their syllabuses. There is a growing argument globally that driving a 500+ horsepower, two-tonne vehicle requires a different class of licensing or specialised training compared to a standard compact car.
The transition to electric mobility is vital for our future but it must not come at the cost of public safety. Let the tragic loss of a young life on Jalan Kuching be the catalyst for a more mindful, educated and cautious driving culture.
A car is only as safe as the driver behind the wheel. Drive smart, understand your vehicle’s limits and respect the immense power beneath your foot.
Dr Muhammad Ammirrul Atiqi Mohd Zainuri, is a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com