New EVs pulling top safety marks

Thursday, 28 October 2021

The range of new EVs available in New Zealand is increasing all the time - here is everything as of January 2022.

While electric vehicle fires are more difficult to deal with than combustion fires, there’s no real reason to assume electric vehicles aren’t as safe in a crash as their oil-fed counterparts. In fact, a lot of incoming EVs are being given top safety marks.

The Australian New Car Assesment Programme (ANCAP) has confirmed the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Volvo XC40 Recharge have both been given five stars in recent Euro NCAP testing. The Hyundai was subjected to the full gamut of tests while the Volvo carried the five-star rating when the combustion XC40 was tested in 2018, with additional testing undertaken for the EV and PHEV models.

“To ensure safety is not compromised for consumers wanting to buy an alternative-powered vehicle, for battery and hybrid electric vehicles we conduct additional checks to make sure they don’t pose unique risks such as battery rupture or electrical hazards to the occupants or first responders,” ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Carla Hoorweg, said.

Volvo’s XC40 Recharge has continued the model’s run of five-star safety ratings.

The Ioniq 5 was awarded high scores in the full-width frontal test, which features two female crash test dummies; the side impact test and simulates the effects of a T-bone intersection crash; and the oblique pole test, which evaluates the risk of head injury to the driver should the vehicle run off the road and strike a tree or pole.

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ANCAP added the Ioniq’s design presented a low risk to the ‘crash partner’ vehicle with a minimal 0.22 point penalty applied – the best score ANCAP has observed in this assessment area since vehicle compatibility scoring was introduced in 2020.

“The Ioniq 5’s good measure of safety performance coupled with its green drivetrain provides families and fleet buyers with a good all-round choice,” said Hoorweg.

“We know safety and environmental performance are top-of-mind considerations for the majority of new car buyers today, and it’s pleasing to see Hyundai prioritise five-star safety in this new market offering.”

Meanwhile, the Ford Mustang Mach-E was tested overseas by Euro NCAP and given five stars as well. If Ford decides to bring the Mach-E to New Zealand, ANCAP will use this result.

The five-star score might come as a bit of a relief for those concerned the Mustang name might bring the same three-star safety rating as the ICE sports car.

And finally, the hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai has been give the maximum five-star rating as well, although there’s no word on if it will be sold in New Zealand.

ANCAP said extra attention was paid to the crash and post-crash safety of the Mirai, confirming it did not explode like an atomic bomb after being thrown around the testing arena.