Isn't that a bit of an overstatement and maybe a tad misinformed?
- VW ID4 (discs front, drum rear): 118 ft
- Toyota RAV4 (all discs): 131 ft
- Kia Sorrento / Hyundai Santa Fee (all disks): 125 ft
- Mazda CX-5 (all discs): 136 ft
- Honda CR-V (all discs): 128 ft
- BMW i4 (all discs, most similar BEV by BMW from same source): 113 ft (a 4 year newer car design)
- BMW 740i (all discs, they don't have a 730D, I imagine the braking distance on that would be longer since it's not a performance model like the 740i): 107 ft (2023 model)
(
60 to 0 MPH measured by Motortrend)
Perspective: Studies put the average reaction time of drivers in traffic at 1,5 s. 0,5 s is considered to be a fast reaction time to an expected event, like the start of a race. If we suggest a very alert driver would react to an unexpected event in traffic in 1 s, I would say that's a reasonable and fair assumption.
A vehicle travelling at 60 MPH (which the braking distances above are at) covers 88 ft every second. Electric cars are heavy, so I think the fair comparison is the i4 vs ID4, even if we ignore all the cars the ID4 beat, with "non-safety-concern-irresponsible-braking-systems".
That's a difference of 5 ft, equivelant to a difference in reaction time of just 62 ms. It's completely in the realm of theory - even if you test your own reaction time 10 times in a row (to an expected event and while concentrating, mind you), you'll typically see far greater variety than that number.
Endlessly more significant contributions will come from the weather, friction, state of the road surface, type of road, maintenance state of the brakes and tires and even the choice of tires. It's even well within the tolerances of identical brand/model of tires. And finally of course, driver awareness.
Calling this out as completely unacceptable and a safety concern is pretty wild in my opinion.
Futhermore, when you view this as you should (at a societal level, i.e. good stopping performance doesn't help you, if the guy behinds you rear-ends you), it's an improvement in safety because it's removing an issue with underutilized rear disc brakes (corrosion and sticky brakes) that will become much worse for EVs than for ICE vehicles (where it's also an issue). An issue that easily overthrows the slight advantage the disc brakes have (when new/"overly" maintained) in the real world of driving on the road in vehicles that are not brand new.
There's also reason to simply get used to it. Mercedes Benz are also switching to a drum based braking solution in their EVs, where the brakes are moved into the body of the vehicle thus reducing unsprung weight and improving vehicle dynamics in general (thus; I'd be surprised if BMW doesn't do something similar, since that's right up their alley). These are supposedly a lifetime, non-serviceable part that requires no maintenance.
And finally, just FYI, these are not the same drum brakes from "back then". They share the concept of the brake being encased in a drum, but they are not the same. And even if they were... cars stopped back then too, and car trailers (and trucks) made today and weighing substantially more than the cars also stop just fine. It really isn't a point of concern at all, it's just a conception that is the product of (car) marketing in the 90s.
