Last year, Green started NCAP, a branch of the well-known testing body that looks at the environmental impact and efficiency of new cars. It has given 24 cars a star rating and adjusted its scoring system.
While Euro NCAP and Global NCAP look at the safety of cars, Green NCAP looks at issues such as emissions, efficiency and after-treatment of greenhouse gases. As with the regular crash tests, Green gives NCAP a star rating. This is derived from the figures for three different components: air quality, energy efficiency and greenhouse gases. According to NCAP, these things are tested under “realistic worldly conditions.” 24 cars have recently been tested according to this tightened assessment scheme. The results are now known.
You probably won’t be surprised: the two BEVs that were tested are at the top of the list. The Hyundai Kona Electric takes the full five stars, with a score of 10/10 in all three areas. The Renault Zoe scores exactly the same result. It becomes more interesting when we look at cars with a partially electric powertrain or purely combustion engine. Then the Toyota C-HR of the tested cars achieves the best results. It gets 3.5 stars. The energy efficiency in particular is impressive, according to NCAP. The fourth place is striking enough for a diesel car: the Mercedes-Benz C220d. According to NCAP, this shows that with good exhaust gas treatment the air quality can also be relatively very good in a car with a combustion engine. In terms of greenhouse gases, it is of course doing very well with a score of 2.9 / 10.
Green NCAP also tested passenger vans and it will not surprise you that they end at the bottom of the list. The Mercedes-Benz V-Class, Opel Zafira Life and Volkswagen Transporter all scored only 1.5 stars. Although it was to be expected, NCAP would like to explain it. “Although they keep polluting emissions in check thanks to very effective after-treatment (of exhaust fumes, ed.), They use a lot of energy to move their higher weight. SUVs do only slightly better than vans, averaging just over two stars. “
Plug-ins and further tightening
It would be interesting to see what Green NCAP thinks about plug-in hybrids, given that there is a lot to do about their legitimate or unjustified environmental image. Unfortunately, Green NCAP has not tested any plugins yet. They will be included in the next test round, they report. Results are expected from this in February next year. In addition, Green NCAP will also investigate the so-called ‘well to wheel’ emissions from cars, including the environmental impact of battery production and power consumption. The second, in particular, should of course paint an even more reliable picture, since it is now very obvious that BEVs receive five stars.
Results
| Car | Stars | Air quality | Energy efficiency | Greenhouse gases |
| Hyundai Kona Electric | 5 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Renault Zoe R110 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Toyota C-HR 1.8 Hybrid | 4.5 | 6 | 6.9 | 5.4 |
| Mercedes-Benz C220d | 3 | 7 | 5.7 | 2.9 |
| Peugeot 2008 1.2 PT 110 | 3 | 5.3 | 5.8 | 4.8 |
| Peugeot 208 1.2 PT 100 | 3 | 4.7 | 6.2 | 5.1 |
| Renault Captur 1.3 Tce 130 | 3 | 5.1 | 5.3 | 4.7 |
| Renault Clio Tce 100 | 3 | 4.6 | 6.9 | 5 |
| Seat Ibiza 1.0 TGI | 3 | 6.7 | 5.7 | 4.5 |
| Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI | 3 | 6.3 | 6.2 | 4.9 |
| BMW 3 Series 320d | 2.5 | 6.2 | 6 | 0.6 |
| Dacia Duster BlueDCi 115 | 2.5 | 5.1 | 5.1 | 2.8 |
| Honda CR-V 2.0 Hybrid | 2.5 | 5.3 | 4.2 | 4.1 |
| Nissan Qashqai 1.3 DIG-T | 2.5 | 6.1 | 4.5 | 4.1 |
| Peugeot 3008 1.5 BlueHDi 130 | 2.5 | 4.3 | 5.3 | 2.8 |
| Suzuki Vitara 1.0 Boosterjet | 2.5 | 3.3 | 4.9 | 4.2 |
| Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI | 2.5 | 4.6 | 6 | 2.1 |
| Audi A4 Avant 40 g-tron | 2 | 4.6 | 3.3 | 1.9 |
| Jeep Renegade 1.6 Multijet | 2 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 0.8 |
| Mazda CX-5 SkyActiv-G 165 | 2 | 3.5 | 4.1 | 3.7 |
| Kia Sportage 1.6 CRDI | 1.5 | 7.2 | 1.2 | 0 |
| Mercedes-Benz V250d | 1.5 | 7.2 | 1.2 | 0 |
| Opel Zafira Life S 2.0 | 1.5 | 6.8 | 1.3 | 0.1 |
| Volkswagen Transporter Calif. 2.0 TDI | 1.5 | 5.6 | 0.6 | 0 |