Electric vehicle scores well in crash testing

17 December 2010

The RAC has welcomed a safety rating of 4-stars for the all-electric Mitsubishi i-MiEV from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), but has urged manufacturers of electric and hybrid cars to continue to maximise the safety of their cars.

The i-MiEV crash tests were conducted at the Japanese crash test laboratory JARI, in cooperation with Japan NCAP and with ANCAP personnel undertaking the post-crash assessment and star rating.

RAC Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown said that 4 stars out of a possible 5 stars was a good outcome for a car incorporating so much new technology, but these days many small cars carry a 5-star ANCAP rating, including some of the most fuel efficient cars on the market.

Among the small, fuel efficient cars to carry a 5-star ANCAP safety rating are the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic, Toyota Prius, Honda Jazz and Hyundai i20.

The i-MiEV missed out on the maximum 5-star rating because of its less than optimal occupant protection in the 64kmh offset crash test.

“The RAC supports and welcomes the push for greener vehicles, but we also stress the need to ensure optimal safety features are also built in to the vehicle,” Mr Brown said.

To its credit, Mitsubishi has made electronic stability control and head-protecting side curtain airbags standard equipment on the Australian i-MiEV. The 4-star rating applies to the 2010 i-MiEV with these features.

This was the first such safety crash test of the i-MiEV by any New Car Assessment Program in the world.

ANCAP is supported by all Australian and New Zealand motoring clubs, the Australian Government, the New Zealand government, all Australian state governments, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, NRMA Insurance and the FIA Foundation.

Download the release (pdf)