Euro NCAP releases safety ratings for five EV models

Ford’s new all-electric crossover SUV, the Mustang Mach-E, bears little resemblance to the five-litre muscle car with which it shares its name. While its sports-car stablemate struggled to gain three stars in 2017, the Mustang Mach-E firmly secures a top five-star rating against the latest test requirements. The car comes equipped with a centre airbag, deployable bonnet for vulnerable road user protection and a host of advanced driver assistance features, offering high levels of driver support and crash prevention. Euro NCAP reports that having simultaneously achieved a five-star rating by the environmental test programme, Green NCAP, Ford demonstrates that fighting climate change will not stand in its way of improving road safety.

Hyundai impresses with three new models, the all-electric Ioniq 5 and Tucson, gaining five-star ratings and Hyundai Bayon achieving four stars. Although the Tucson only just clears the hurdle in Safety Assist to get into five-star territory, both Ioniq 5 and Tucson display good all-round safety, commented Euro NCAP. The crossover SUV Bayon, in an overcrowded and highly competitive segment, lacks the centre airbag that is standard in Ioniq 5 and Tucson. Nevertheless, the Bayon comes with robust crash protection and crash-avoidance features, according to the report, which help to secure it a creditable four-star rating .

The Toyota Yaris Cross follows hot on the heels of the Mirai and Yaris with another five-star rating. The car, available as petrol or HEV, was tested partly in Australia and Europe, two important markets for the Yaris Cross

In addition to its traditional safety crash and safety tests, Euro NCAP retested two light commercial vans: the Ford Transit and the Ford Transit Custom, after Ford made seat belt reminders as standard for all occupants across the European market. This results in two Euro NCAP Gold Winners in its Commercial Van rankings.

Michiel van Ratingen said “Vehicle use ... is the most significant contributor to work-related traumatic injury, so small improvements, especially those that promote seatbelt wearing, can go a long way. Congratulations to Ford for updating their two commercial vans and making the effort of putting seat belt reminders as standard for drivers and co-drivers.”