Green NCAP Posts Latest Bestseller Results as It Plans Further Improvements in 2022
Green NCAP finishes off the year with a final batch of five cars, ahead of some big test changes in 2022. The all-electric Lexus UX 300e and Nissan LEAF e+ both achieve a maximum five-star rating.
Two Plug-in Hybrids – the Renault CAPTUR E-TECH and Volkswagen Golf 8 GTE – are awarded three and a half stars and the only pure combustion engine car of the batch, the Audi A3 Sportback 35 TDI, is still scoring a creditable three stars.
So far, Green NCAP rates cars only on tailpipe emissions, so electric cars – which emit no tailpipe gases – have a head-start. Both the Nissan and the Lexus take full advantage to reach a maximum star rating, based on the combined performance in clean air, greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiency.
Only in the latter, do these EVs lose a fraction of a point – the Lexus doing so mainly because of the energy used to heat the vehicle interior in the cold ambient (-7°) test. Green NCAP also measured a driving range considerably lower than that claimed by Lexus, a result of the more realistic tests used compared to regulation.
In 2022, Green NCAP will base its assessment of Greenhouse gases emissions on a well-to-wheel analysis, meaning that the environmental impact which went into the production of the energy source will also be included. This will give a better indication of the true environmental footprint of cars to consumers, especially for electric vehicles.
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| The two PHEVs are joint-second in this round of tests, the Golf 8 GTE and the CAPTUR E-TECH Plug-in 160 achieving three and a half stars apiece. As with all PHEVs, they perform best when the battery is regularly charged but both also have efficient exhaust after-treatments which keep emissions low when running on petrol. |
Finally, the diesel-engine Audi A3 Sportback 35 TDI scores very well for Clean Air and for Energy Efficiency but is let down by mediocre performance in reducing greenhouse gases. Nevertheless, a rating of three Green NCAP stars is a solid performance for a traditional, diesel powered car.
