Top Green NCAP ratings for EV trio

Green NCAP has awarded five sustainable star ratings to three electric vehicles in its latest round of testing.

The Tesla Model 3, Nio, and Renault Megane E-TechEV60 all achieved nearly maximum scores due to the high energy efficiency of their electric powertrains, far exceeding the ratings of conventional cars.

The Tesla Model 3, the first model of the brand to be tested, has a battery capacity of 60 kWh and achieved high energy efficiency in both warm and cold testing although energy consumption increased by 72% in -7 deg C testing due to demands on heating the cabin.

Meanwhile, the Nio features a formidable power output of 480 kW and a huge 100 kWh battery, although consumption also increased by 72% in extremely cold testing conditions.

Finally, the Renault Megane E-TechEV60 has a battery capacity of 60 kWh and performed particularly well in short urban trip tests, using just 11.8 kWh/100 km.

All three earned Green NCAP’s top marks due to the absence of polluting exhaust gas emissions and their remarkable energy efficiency scores, as well as the relatively low greenhouse gas emissions of European electricity production.

Dr Michiel van Ratingen, secretary general of Euro NCAP and Green NCAP, said: “This latest round of Green NCAP testing clearly proves that electric vehicles are an excellent consumer choice in the quest for ensuring a cleaner and more sustainable environment.  They score far higher than those with conventional powertrains.  However, affordability is still a challenge.  We call on manufacturers to further improve the efficiency of cabin heating in winter conditions, as this is shown to have a significant impact on driving range.  The efficiency of the on-board charger constitutes a hidden cost for consumers and here the industry also needs to strive for higher numbers.”