High-Priced Jaguar I-PACE Involved in Multiple Accidents and a Fatal Crush Incident Involving a 7-Year-Old Boy in Britain
Article: Investigation into Jaguar I-PACE's Interior Gear Selector Design
There has been recent concern over the interior gear selector design of the Jaguar I-PACE, with a coroner suggesting that the lack of an intermediary step in changing gears could potentially lead to unexpected acceleration. However, it's important to note that there is no substantiated claim or official finding about this design flaw contributing to driver errors leading to crashes or fatalities.
The I-PACE, Jaguar's first foray into the electric vehicle (EV) market, has been involved in a number of safety incidents since its release six years ago. Reports of uncommanded acceleration have been raised, but investigations by Jaguar have consistently pointed to driver error as the cause.
One such incident occurred in Lancashire, where an I-PACE owner named Julie experienced an unexpected acceleration, resulting in a crash. Another incident involved a driver who sailed across a junction in Manchester and embedded the car into the front of a house, narrowly missing a woman pushing a pram. Greater Manchester Police did not make any arrests in relation to the incident.
Another I-PACE owner, Nick, claimed to have experienced multiple "heart-stopping moments" due to accidentally hitting the accelerator instead of the brake. He concluded that the accelerator pedal is further left and closer to the brake pedal than in other cars, which some other owners also find problematic. The I-PACE owners' forum discusses the space between the brake and accelerator pedals as a potential issue.
A coroner has criticized the interior design of the I-PACE after a driver error caused the death of a seven-year-old boy. The coroner believes that electric cars that use buttons for changing gears would benefit from an extra step to confirm the direction of travel.
Jaguar has until October 22 to respond to the coroner's concerns. It's worth noting that the I-PACE has a five-star Euro NCAP rating, which is a testament to its overall safety performance.
Despite these concerns, the I-PACE was named European Car of the Year 2019. The model is mainly sold in the UK and mainland Europe to help ensure compliance with emissions targets. However, as Jaguar phases out the I-PACE due to a new platform that the I-PACE does not fit, it remains to be seen what changes, if any, will be made to address these concerns in future models.
[1] https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/jaguar-i-pace-touchscreen-issues-and-gear-selector-flaws-revealed [2] https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/jaguar-i-pace-gear-selector-reviewed-and-rated [5] https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/jaguar-i-pace-sales-drop-by-half-in-the-uk
- The concern over the interior gear selector design of electric vehicles, particularly the Jaguar I-PACE, extends beyond the matter of potential unexpected acceleration as some argue that the lack of an intermediary step for changing gears could also be problematic.
- The manufacturing industry, specifically the automotive sector, is under scrutiny as concerns about the safety of electric vehicles, such as the I-PACE, continue to emerge, with finance and general news outlets reporting on numerous safety incidents.
- The transportation industry is witnessing a shift towards electric vehicles, as evidenced by the success of models like the I-PACE, which has earned a five-star Euro NCAP rating for its overall safety performance, despite some concerns about its interior design.
- Lifestyle changes and shifting preferences in the finance sector, driven by concerns about the environment, have led to an increase in the sale of electric vehicles in Europe, with the I-PACE being one of the popular models.
- The coroner's office has been involved in investigations regarding car accidents involving the Jaguar I-PACE, not just in the UK but also in other regions, as the concerns about the vehicle's interior design and gear selector continue to surface.
- The I-PACE's design flaws extend beyond the interior gear selector, as reports suggest that its touchscreen issues and the close proximity of the accelerator and brake pedals are also causing problems for some owners, leading to heart-stopping moments.
