Green NCAP has rounded off its 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 have been 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, according to the tester.
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 said it 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,” the tester said.
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, Green NCAP said. It added that a rating of three Green NCAP stars is a “solid” performance for a traditional, diesel powered car.
