Euro NCAP is releasing the first test results of fully electric car: the Mitsubishi i-Miev, which marks the start of a series of electric vehicle tests planned throughout the year 2011.
As testing electric vehicles is new to Euro NCAP, additional preparations and precautions are taken while testing the cars in the laboratories to ensure safety before, during and after testing for all persons involved. Electric vehicles should meet the same safety standards as other conventional vehicles. Euro NCAP tests plug-in vehicles with live batteries at laboratories with specially-trained personnel, but the cars are exposed to the same testing conditions as other cars in the programme. The vehicles undergo the full scale tests including frontal, side, pedestrian, pole and ESC tests. However, during preparation, service plugs of the car are removed and extra fire-fighting measures are taken to ensure the safety of laboratory staff and equipment.
The European New Car Assessment Programme is publishing the results of the Mitsubishi i-Miev; its 4-star star rating demonstrates that electric cars can be as safe as others. However, Euro NCAP hopes to see an electric vehicle achieve the maximum five star rating soon. The i-MiEV shares its rating with its twin models, the Citroën C-Zero and Peugeot iOn, which have the same design and safety equipment.
Euro NCAP welcomes the push for green but safe cars on the European market and is informing consumers of future tests on electric vehicles in the coming months.
