Renault Zoe awarded zero-star Euro NCAP safety rating

“Renault takes note of the results published by Euro NCAP following specific tests on Zoe E-Tech Electric according to its new protocol implemented in 2020. First of all, Renault reaffirms that Zoe E-Tech Electric is a safe vehicle, which complies with all regulatory safety standards. These standards are constantly evolving and are becoming more stringent in all domains, especially in safety. Renault therefore continually improves its offer in order to comply with the regulations applicable where its vehicles are sold.”

It continues: “Zoe was launched in 2013 and received five stars with Euro NCAP protocol at that time. The Euro NCAP protocol has since 2013 undergone five changes. With the same equipment, a model can lose up to two stars in each protocol change.”

In Euro NCAP’s safety assist assessment, the Zoe scored 14%, which is 61% lower than the average this year. However, Renault pointed out that: “The evolution of the current Zoe was decided in 2017 adapting the passive safety equipment to real accidentology and updating the car with state of the art ADAS equipments such as Advanced Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection, Lane Departure Alert and Lane Keeping Assist, using a radar and a camera.”

Elsewhere in the Renault group staple, the Dacia Spring EV, which could arrive in the UK next year, also scored poorly, with a one-star rating. Testing revealed a chance of severe chest compression and a shortage of leg and pelvis protection during frontal impacts, resulting in an adult occupant protection score of (49%). Crashes could result in serious head and neck injuries for child occupants, too.

There were some strong performers this year, however. The BMW iX scored five stars, with an impressive adult occupant protection result of 91%. The Genesis G70 and GV70 also received top marks, continuing the brand’s 100% record of five-star cars thus far. The Mercedes EQS achieved the highest adult occupant protection rating of all in 2021, scoring 96%.

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