LONDON(REUTERS) – French carmaker Renault obtained a blow for its common Zoe electrical mannequin on Wednesday (Dec 8), because the European New Automobile Evaluation Programme (NCAP) gave it a zero-star security score in assessments which can be normal for Europe.
The carmaker, which is reducing prices and dealing to show round its efficiency after overstretching itself over years of formidable international enlargement, additionally obtained a one-star score for its lower-cost electrical Dacia Spring mannequin.
“Renault was as soon as synonymous with security,” Euro NCAP secretary normal Michiel van Ratingen mentioned in an announcement. “However these disappointing outcomes for the Zoe and the Dacia Spring present that security has now turn out to be collateral injury within the group’s transition to electrical automobiles.”
Renault mentioned in an announcement the Zoe was a secure car, which met all regulatory security requirements.
“These requirements are continuously evolving and have gotten increasingly strict in all areas, particularly when it comes to safety,” the corporate added. “Renault is subsequently regularly enhancing its provide with a purpose to adjust to the rules relevant the place its autos are offered.”
The Euro NCAP scores are usually not binding because it doesn’t certify autos for street use. However European customers do take note of Euro NCAP’s assessments and carmakers aggressively market good scores.
That is solely the third time Euro NCAP has given a automotive a zero-star score and if it hurts gross sales of the Zoe, it may stress Renault right into a swift improve or speed up the launch of the following model of the automotive.
Euro NCAP mentioned the most recent Zoe had a worse seat-mounted facet airbag than earlier variations. Euro NCAP famous the Renault Laguna had been the primary automotive ever to obtain a five-star score in 2001.
Renault didn’t handle the airbag subject in its assertion.
Within the 12 months to October, the Zoe was the third top-selling totally electrical automotive in Europe – behind Tesla’s Mannequin 3 (in high place) and Volkswagen’s ID.3. The Dacia model mentioned the Spring goes above and past European security rules, however doesn’t add superior options that clients won’t pay for.
In a press assertion titled “Hero to Zero”, British insurance coverage group Thatcham Analysis famous the Zoe had initially obtained a five-star score again in 2013.
“It is a disgrace to see Renault threaten a security pedigree constructed from the inception of the score,” mentioned Mr Matthew Avery, Thatcham’s chief analysis technique officer and a Euro NCAP board member.
Eleven automobiles obtained scores in Euro NCAP’s closing spherical of assessments for 2021, which didn’t embrace Tesla fashions. Various different autos obtained five-star scores, together with BMW’s electrical iX, Daimler’s electrical Mercedes-Benz EQS, Nissan’s Qashqai and Volkswagen’s Caddy.