NCAP safety ratings are widely recognised as a key consideration when buying a new car and now there is a new rating system designed to show how environmentally friendly vehicles are. As part of the European New Car Assessment Programme, Green NCAP has announces the environmental performance ratings of 25 new cars including, for the first time, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

Green NCAP says that the results highlight how some PHEVs are far greener than others. The tests also included the Hyundai NEXO, a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, full electric cars such as the VW ID.3 and 19 combustion engine cars, with the Škoda Octavia Combi 2.0 TDI and VW Golf 1.5 TSI performing well.

Green NCAP ratings show that when it comes to environmental cleanliness, pure electric vehicles outshine the competition. Volkswagen’s first standalone electric car, the ID.3, reinforces this message, with a maximum 5-star rating.  The Hyundai NEXO, a hydrogen fuel-cell car, also achieved 5 stars, as it proved to be just as clean as a battery electric vehicle and very nearly as energy efficient.  

PHEV technology is currently much favoured by manufacturers seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and comply with new emissions legislation.  Marketed as offering “the best of both worlds”, battery-powered cleanliness when it is needed with the driving range of a combustion-engined car, Green NCAP’s tests revealed that, even when optimally charged, not all PHEVs are the same.  Toyota’s Prius impresses most with a 4-star rating that beats all but pure electric and hydrogen fuel cell cars.  The Kia Niro follows closely with 3½ stars, but the Mitsubishi Outlander only achieved 2 stars, less than some of the latest Euro 6 compliant petrol or diesel cars.

Euro NCAP Chairman, Niels Jacobsen, said, “People want independent, transparent information about the environmental impact of cars.  These PHEV results show why that is so important.  Consumers could be forgiven for thinking that, by buying a car labelled ‘PHEV’ and keeping it charged all the time, they will be doing their bit for the environment, but these results show that this is not necessarily the case.  The Outlander shows that a big, heavy vehicle with a limited driving range is unlikely to offer any benefit over a conventional car.  On the other hand, Toyota, with its long experience of hybrid technology, has done a terrific job and the Prius, properly used, can offer clean, efficient transport.  It depends on the implementation and hybridisation strategy but what is true of all PHEVs is that they need to be charged regularly and driven as much as possible on battery power if they are to fulfil their potential.”

The Toyota Yaris Hybrid further underlines Toyota’s expertise in the field of electrification with a respectable 3½ star rating.  But it is matched by two conventionally-engined cars, the diesel-powered Škoda Octavia Combi 2.0 TDI and the petrol-fuelled VW Golf 1.5 TSI.  These are the best results achieved so far by non-electrified cars.

Niels Jacobsen comments, “Euro 6 legislation has made a real difference.  For the first time, we’re seeing cars perform in real world driving the way they promise on the test bench and we should congratulate car manufacturers and emissions engineers for the huge strides they have made in the last few years.  The future looks like it belongs to electric cars of one sort or another but, for now, consumers face a bewildering choice.  Green NCAP is here to help them make informed decisions so that we can all contribute now to a cleaner, more sustainable future.”