What happened in the crash
A YangWang U9, packing roughly 1,287 horsepower in its standard form, went through a red light and struck a stopped Zeekr 009 at a busy intersection. The force of that impact pushed the Zeekr back into a B
YD Seagull that was waiting at the light. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries and, notably, no battery fires despite substantial damage to the U9.
The incident highlights two features that make some modern electric supercars particularly tricky to handle: enormous instantaneous torque and very large curb weights. The U9 is not just powerful—it's heavy (around 2,600 kg) and has highly capable suspension that can even demonstrate dramatic maneuvers like hopping or driving on three wheels in controlled demos. Those capabilities sound cool on YouTube, but they complicate real-world control, especially in the wet.
Why these EVs behave differently on the road
- Instant torque: Electric motors provide maximum torque immediately. That means mistakes are punished faster—any sudden throttle input can send huge forces through the tyres.
- Mass matters: Large battery packs add weight. A vehicle that would otherwise be manageable at 1,400 kg becomes much harder to stop and steer when it approaches 2,500–3,000 kg.
- Traction limits in the wet: Rain lowers tyre grip. With extreme power and heavy mass, it is much easier to overwhelm traction control or to generate hydroplaning-prone conditions.
- Complex drivetrain electronics: Four motors and sophisticated traction systems help, but they are not a substitute for driver skill. Electronics intercept but cannot always compensate for poor inputs at the wheel.
- Unique suspension tricks: Some manufacturers tune active suspensions to perform aggressive maneuvers. Those features can change vehicle dynamics in ways drivers do not expect under everyday conditions.
The safety picture: what went right and what could have gone worse
There are a few silver linings in the reported crash. First, no serious injuries. Second, despite heavy collision damage, there were no battery fires—an important data point when comparing EVs to internal combustion cars in high-energy collisions.
That said, the incident underscores an uncomfortable truth: even a competent driver can be tested by a combination of high power, high mass and reduced grip. And when mistakes happen at speed, consequences can cascade quickly to other vehicles.
Policy options: how society could respond
Several reasonable policy responses could reduce risk without banning performance cars:
- Special high-performance license: A graduated endorsement or separate license for vehicles above certain power or weight thresholds. Training would cover launch control, traction management, wet-weather handling and emergency braking.
- Mandatory manufacturer-delivered training: When someone purchases a hypercar, the dealer or manufacturer could be required to provide hands-on instruction and a demonstration of performance modes.
- Software limits and drive modes: Locked-out high-performance settings by default, requiring completion of a training module or a deliberate action to enable “track” or “extreme” modes.
- Insurance incentives: Lower premiums for drivers who complete certified training courses, creating a market pull for competence.
- Licensing by vehicle class: Similar to heavy vehicle endorsements, drivers could require certification for vehicles exceeding a combined metric of power-to-weight ratio or top speed.
What drivers can do right now
If you either own or plan to buy a high-performance EV, these practical steps will reduce risk and make the experience more enjoyable:
- Use conservative drive modes when on public roads. Eco or comfort settings limit torque and smooth power delivery.
- Invest in driver training—advanced courses teach control in low-grip conditions and explain the limits of electronics.
- Be mindful of tyres and maintenance. Correct tyres for the car and weather, and proper pressures, matter more than ever.
- Respect local conditions. Wet roads and heavy cars are a recipe for longer braking distances and unpredictable handling.
- Consider insurance and track time. Insuring a high-power EV can be expensive—playing on a closed circuit with proper instruction is safer for exploring performance limits.
Where the debate lands
High-performance EVs challenge conventional thinking about licensing and road safety. They bring extraordinary capability to the hands of ordinary drivers. That combination can be exhilarating but also risky.
Whether the solution is a special license, mandatory training, software restrictions or a mix of these measures, the goal is the same: align driver skill with vehicle capability. Until then, the safest approach is caution—both from regulators and from anyone who gets behind the wheel of a car that can accelerate faster than most people can react.
Questions to consider
- Should countries create a formal endorsement for ultra-high-performance vehicles?
- Would mandatory dealer training be effective, or would it be treated as a box-ticking exercise?
- Is software gating of performance modes a fair compromise between freedom and safety?
These machines are amazing feats of engineering. But amazing engineering requires equally impressive judgement and skill at the wheel. What do you think is the right balance between freedom to buy and responsibility to drive?