To add to the weight problem, in my country (NL), road tax is calculated based on the weight of the car, not the amount of kilometers driven, although VAT and excise on fuel do compensate for that. That said, road tax is included in fuel costs over in Germany.
That said, the long-term theory of EVs is sound; if they have the right sensors and if they're interconnected with each other, more accidents will become preventable and the net result is a safer environment. But that's the theoretical outcome.
It's not theoretical, and you don't need them to talk to each other to reduce accidents. Nor is the tech you mention necessarily unique to EVs. There's evidence already that the safety features shipping on modern cars, including collision warning, avoidance, cross traffic alerts, etc. are already helping to reduce accidents. Where EVs can help here on safety is encouraging people to drive more slowly (due to efficiency concerns) and also advanced in motor traction control that is not possible on an ICE vehicle. The rest is not unique to EVs.
The YouTuber Not Just Bikes recently put out a video arguing that self driving cars will allow for and encourage policy and urban design that is even worse than current car-centric cities. Maybe too sensationalist, but they are interesting points to consider. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=040ejWnFkj0
It does seem clear to me that the solution to "self driving cars that rely on an interconnected communication network to maximize driving efficiency sometimes run into jaywalkers and bikers" is banning jaywalkers and bikers for many car first people. Probably will lead to even more cultural divide between sun belt and non sun belt dwellers. Even my city of chicago which is easily top 5 best city for non car transportation in the US is very pro car politically. I could easily see the city government going for the ban all non cars from streets route
That said, the long-term theory of EVs is sound; if they have the right sensors and if they're interconnected with each other, more accidents will become preventable and the net result is a safer environment. But that's the theoretical outcome.