An increasing number of European drivers are switching to the latest generation of electric cars, driven, among other things, by the belief that they are thereby actively contributing to environmental protection. However, the organization Green NCAP, which provides consumers with an unbiased review of the environmental impact of new vehicles and their performance in real driving conditions, aims to shed light on the real sustainability of some of the most popular new models on our continent.
A hidden ecological footprint
Automakers typically publish data related solely to energy consumption, range and charging time, often branding electric vehicles with a “zero emissions” label. However, these figures rarely show the full picture, as the production of the vehicle itself, the manufacture of the batteries, distribution and the energy sources from which the vehicle is powered can have a significant carbon footprint that standard ratings ignore.
In order to offer transparent data, Green NCAP applies an advanced life cycle assessment methodology, which follows the vehicle from production to disposal. This method, colloquially called “cradle to grave”, analyzes the consumption of raw materials, production processes, distribution and energy supply, together with direct greenhouse gas emissions, providing the only truly reliable measure of environmental performance available to drivers in Europe.
The data calculated in this way show that the differences between cars can be extremely large, which directly affects the environment and the budget of the drivers themselves. In general, it has been shown that more efficient cars consume less energy over time, but the energy and resources used already in the production phase have a decisive effect on the final ecological balance of the vehicle. Advertising electric cars as “zero emission” vehicles without a wider context can therefore mislead consumers because just using a battery to run the engine does not automatically make the vehicle sustainable.
Below are examples that make up only a small part of the almost 200 models that this organization has tested and rated according to sustainability – all results are publicly available on their website.
Analysis of the most popular cars in Europe
Dacia Sandero (3 stars / 59%): This compact car scores solid thanks to its low weight, simple design, decent energy efficiency, and low tailpipe and frictional emissions, but its greenhouse gas score lags behind hybrid and electric models.
Citroën C3 Hybrid (3.5 stars / 62%): Thanks to the mild hybrid system, this model offers low energy consumption throughout its lifetime and increased efficiency in city driving, but ultimately offers only a slight environmental advantage compared to conventional gasoline cars.
Volkswagen Passat (3 stars / 52%): The mild-hybrid model was the most efficient on the highway and scored well in the Clean Air Index due to effective exhaust gas treatment, but its overall score is limited by the gasoline engine’s inherent carbon dioxide emissions and the weight of the vehicle itself.
Renault 5 E-Tech (5 stars / 94%): This electric model earned the maximum rating thanks to extremely low operational emissions, high energy efficiency and a compact platform and low weight that contribute to excellent environmental sustainability even in the production phase.
MINI Cooper E (5 stars / 95%): As one of the most environmentally friendly models tested, it achieved a top result due to its efficient drive system, low weight, moderate battery capacity that reduces energy consumption in all conditions and during production, and effective regenerative braking that reduces brake wear.
Jeep Avenger Electric (5 stars / 96%): The electric crossover shares a technical base with the FIAT 600e and achieves a perfect greenhouse gas index, but although it has an estimated consumption of 16.4 kWh/100 km in mild weather conditions, its efficiency and range can drop in temperatures as low as -7 °C when consumption rises to 24.8 kWh/100 km.
BMW 5 Series (2.5 stars / 46%): Despite scoring well in the Clean Air Index thanks to advanced exhaust treatment, this mild-hybrid petrol-powered model scores lower because its high fossil fuel consumption, hefty 1,805kg curb weight and lack of a more advanced energy recovery system undermine its viability.