The five-door mid-size electric hatchback Nissan Leaf has achieved a five-star overall crash test rating from the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP), becoming the first plug-in vehicle to receive five stars from NCAP. Euro NCAP tests vehicles in frontal impact, side impact, side pole impact and the potential for whiplash.
The Leaf's lithium-ion battery pack, which is positioned below the rear-seat compartment, suffered no damage during any of the tests. The five-seat Leaf received an 89 percent rating for adult occupant safety, 84 percent for its on-board safety-assist systems, 65 percent in pedestrian safety and 83 percent for child occupant safety.
Dr. Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP's secretary general, says:
In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's first mainstream plug-in vehicle crash tests – conducted in late April – both the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and the 2011 Nissan Leaf were named "Good" for their front, side, rear, and rollover crash protection and both received the IIHS' Top Safety Pick title.The Nissan Leaf proves that electric vehicles can be equally safe as common cars. The standard is now set for the next generation of cars on the European market.
Hit the jump to watch video of the Nissan Leaf getting smashed, crashed and bashed by NCAP. Click here (pdf) for a detailed look at the Leaf's NCAP test results.
[Source: Euro NCAP]
The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience.
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