ANCAP has announced five-star safety ratings for three new electric vehicle (EV) models – Tesla Model Y, Kia Niro, and Genesis GV60. The ANCAP ratings are all based on Euro NCAP testing of left-hand-drive models.
The Tesla Model Y impressed across all four pillars of assessment, achieving an all-time record score of 98 per cent in the safety assist pillar, and the highest adult occupant protection score to date (97 per cent) against the latest 2020 to 2022 rating criteria.
According to ANCAP, the Model Y demonstrated high levels of performance for its ability to avoid a crash with another vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist, with maximum points being awarded across the majority of collision avoidance test scenarios. The Model Y is also fitted as standard with a direct driver monitoring system (DMS), using onboard camera-based monitoring to detect a distracted driver and automatically enhance the sensitivity of the forward collision warning system to be more reactive if distraction or impaired driving characteristics are detected.
ANCAP said that from 2023, direct DMS functionality will be assessed under ANCAP’s 2023 test and rating criteria, a step forward from the assessment of indirect monitoring systems that form part of the current rating criteria.
The Genesis GV60 scored full points for protection of the front-seat passenger in the frontal offset test, the driver in the side impact test and both child occupants in frontal and side impact crash scenarios.
While still within the five-star threshold, ANCAP said the GV60’s overall vulnerable road user protection score was lower than its segment counterparts at 63 per cent. The front bumper provided good protection to a pedestrian’s lower legs, but protection of the pelvis was mostly poor with 0.45 points scored out of a possible six points in this area of testing.
ANCAP said all battery electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid variants of the new Kia Niro offer five-star safety performance, with maximum points scored for front row occupants in the side impact and oblique pole tests. Maximum points were also scored in the upper and lower leg impact tests for pedestrians, along with the ability to actively avoid or mitigate a crash with another vehicle in intersection-turning scenarios.
The front of the vehicle is also a relatively ‘benign’ impact partner, presenting a low risk to occupants of an oncoming struck vehicle in the frontal offset (MPDB) crash test.
“The results we’ve released today will give confidence to those in the market for an alternative-powered small SUV,” said ANCAP Chief Executive Officer Carla Hoorweg.
“All three models offer high levels of safety performance across the range of ANCAP assessment areas, demonstrating the clear ability for electric vehicle models to tick both the safe and green checkboxes.”