New Green NCAP results: electric cars win, hybrids in between, gasoline cars zero points

Green NCAP, Euro NCAP’s partner organization in charge of sustainability assessment, has conducted new tests of four vehicles with electric, hybrid and petrol drive systems. Among the tested models were Mercedes-Benz CLA EQ 250+, Toyota C-HR, MINI Cooper C and MG HS. The results of the latest test clearly point to a widening gap in sustainability between advanced electric and hybrid vehicles compared to conventional petrol-powered models.

Mercedes maximum

Of particular note was the all-electric Mercedes-Benz CLA EQ 250+, which won the maximum five stars for sustainability with an overall score of 91%. Although it weighs almost two tons and uses a heavy battery with a capacity of 90 kWh, this one premium coupe medium-sized car broke down the prejudices that only small and light cars can achieve low energy consumption.

Thanks to excellent aerodynamics and the advanced efficiency of the powertrain, the vehicle achieves a range of up to 690 kilometers in warm weather conditions on rural roads. Even at a temperature of -7°C on the highway, it maintains a range of 456 kilometers, and its ability to charge ultra-fast power up to 342 kW enables the battery to be recharged from 10 to 80 percent in just 22.6 minutes – tests confirmed.

Hybrids very good

For buyers looking for high efficiency without the need to plug into the grid, the hybrid Toyota C-HR proved to be a versatile choice, achieving three and a half stars and an overall sustainability rating of 66 percent. This gasoline-hybrid crossover records low fuel consumption in real conditions, with an average of 4.4 liters per 100 kilometers on mixed roads and only 3.6 liters in city driving.

However, the model missed an opportunity for a better result due to elevated hydrocarbon and particulate emissions during the demanding engine start-up test at a temperature of -7°C, which leaves room for improvement in filtration systems.

Challenges of classic drives

On the other hand, conventional models recorded significantly lower environmental scores. The MINI Cooper C, equipped with a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbo gasoline engine without hybrid technology, won three stars with consumption of 6 to 7 liters per 100 kilometers and lifetime greenhouse gas emissions of 230 grams of CO2 equivalent per kilometer.

The worst result in this round of tests was achieved by the MG HS, a large gasoline SUV from the Chinese manufacturer SAIC Motor, with only one and a half stars. Due to consumption that reaches 9.9 liters per 100 kilometers on the highway, this model achieved zero points in the categories of energy efficiency and greenhouse gases, with lifetime emissions of 303.7 grams of CO2 equivalent per kilometer, thus exceeding the maximum threshold of the Green NCAP organization.