- Euro NCAP tests give information on how well new cars protect and prevent both occupants and other road users in collisions, but Green NCAP, which first started publishing results in 2019, shows how well a car protects the world from a sustainability and environmental standpoint.
- Previous results have further highlighted the green credentials of BEVs against their PHEV and ICE rivals, and this latest round of testing is no different.
- Four EVs tested were given the full 5/5 star Green NCAP rating, with the Tesla Model 3, BYD ATTO 2, Hyundai KONA Electric, and Vauxhall Corsa Electric all taking home top scores for their green credentials.
New EVs score high in Green NCAP tests
The Green NCAP tests, which are performed on both EV and ICE-based vehicles, take into account three indexes to calculate an overall average green score. The first is the Clean Air Index, looking specifically at tailpipe emissions. Naturally, all EVs score full marks in this first section, giving them an edge over other cars. The other two factors considered are the Energy Efficiency Index and the Greenhouse Gas Index, where the scores from EV to EV can differ. These latter two indexes are tested at both a variety of ambient temperatures and speeds, giving a rounded image of an EV’s efficiency no matter the situation.
In this latest round of testing, all four BEVs tested were granted 5/5 stars. The Vauxhall/Opel Corsa Electric took the most impressive score, with an average score of 99% – which Green NCAP says makes it one of the most energy-efficient electric cars it has ever tested. Green NCAP were particularly impressed by its electricity demand at highway speed and at a -7 Celsius temperature, which it also calls ‘among the best seen’.
Tesla’s Model 3 also scored highly in this latest round. This EV was already tested by the organisation back in 2022, where it set new standards for energy efficiency, and scored 5/5. With improvements since, Green NCAP has called the results of a 2024 Model 3 tested even more impressive – and says Tesla engineers ‘should be proud of their achievement’.
Hyundai’s latest KONA Electric also took home 5 stars with an average score of 98%. It was commended for its high grid-to-battery-output rating of 92%, which is one of the highest values ever tested amongst EVs.
A surprise entry was the BYD ATTO 2, which has yet to launch within Europe – but Green NCAP’s latest results claim the ATTO 2 is set to hit the European market from January 2025. It was granted an average score of 96%, giving it 5/5 stars, thanks in part to its relatively low weight of 1,590kg, and high efficiency in urban driving – though this efficiency was relatively lower, under highway testing.
