ANCAP has awarded a five-star safety rating for two small battery electric SUVs, the Volvo C40 Recharge (single and twin motor variants) and the New Zealand-supplied variants of the BYD Atto 3, based on testing by Euro NCAP. Australian-supplied BYD Atto 3 vehicles remain unrated, with ANCAP saying it is working with BYD to “finalise the applicability of a rating for Australian-specified models”.
Maximum points were awarded to the Volvo C40 Recharge for protection offered to the driver and front passenger in the frontal offset test, and for the driver in the full width frontal test, side impact test, oblique pole test, and both of the far-side impact tests. However, the scores were offset by a four-point penalty applied for vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility, with ANCAP saying the C40 Recharge presents a higher risk to occupants of an oncoming vehicle if struck.
Maximum points were achieved for the protection of child occupants in the side impact and frontal offset crash tests. Full points were also scored for the C40’s ability to maintain its intended lane of travel and avoid run-off-road crashes through its lane support system functionality. The C40 Recharge’s autonomous emergency braking capability also scored well.
The BYD Atto 3 scored well in each of the four key areas of assessment, with the five-star ANCAP safety rating applying to the standard range and extended range variants.
Full scores were achieved for protection provided to the driver in the side impact and far-side impact tests. Whiplash protection for front and rear seat occupants also scored well, with maximum points achieved for the protection of child occupants in side impact and frontal offset crash tests.
ANCAP said the Atto 3 has a high level of active safety, with the standard-fit pedestrian and cyclist-detecting autonomous emergency braking system offering good levels of performance in forward, reverse, daytime, and night-time test scenarios.
“This five-star ANCAP safety rating for the BYD Atto 3 will no doubt come as welcome news to New Zealand buyers looking for a safe and green choice within its price-point,” said ANCAP Chief Executive Officer Carla Hoorweg.