GAC, Geely, Leapmotor EVs earn top Euro NCAP
Three new Chinese electric vehicles, the GAC Aion UT, Geely E2, and Leapmotor B05, have achieved the maximum five-star safety rating from the stringent
Three new electric vehicles from Chinese manufacturers GAC, Geely, and Leapmotor have secured the highest possible five-star safety rating from the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP). The results, released on September 3, directly challenge perceptions that Chinese EVs are inherently unsafe. Euro NCAP's standards are considered significantly stricter than those of the U.S. National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), which allows for self-certification by automakers.
Dr. Aled Williams, Programme Director at Euro NCAP, stated that the results show Chinese carmakers are actively working to meet high European safety expectations. "By actively embracing Euro NCAP’s rigorous targets particularly this year, carmakers are showing they want to deliver safer vehicles for everyone on Europe’s roads," Williams said. The tests evaluate vehicles across four key safety areas: Safe Driving, Crash Avoidance, Crash Protection, and Post-Crash Safety.
Detailed Safety Performance
The three models demonstrated strong overall performance, with each excelling in different aspects of the safety assessment. Their detailed scores are presented in the table below.
| Model | Safe Driving | Crash Avoidance | Crash Protection | Post-Crash Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GAC Aion UT | 66% | 74% | 91% | 88% |
| Geely E2 | 79% | 72% | 86% | 95% |
| Leapmotor B05 | 66% | 77% | 92% | 89% |
GAC Aion UT Assessment
The GAC Aion UT is an electric family hatchback. Euro NCAP noted it shows good performance across all four safety stages. Its crash avoidance systems performed well in most test scenarios, though frontal monitoring for vehicles and motorcyclists crossing junctions was an exception. With a Crash Protection score of 91 percent, the Aion UT proved to be a strong all-rounder in safety.
Geely E2 Assessment
The Geely E2, a small electric hatchback, demonstrated high-level protection across the board. The assessors highlighted its good use of physical controls for key driving and infotainment commands, which contributed to an 80 percent score in that category. The model earned extra marks for its standard direct Child Presence Detection (CPD) system.
Leapmotor B05 Assessment
The Leapmotor B05 scored particularly well in Crash Protection at 92 percent. Its automatic emergency braking (AEB) performance was called "exceptional" in high-speed and junction scenarios, and it featured a near-perfect lane departure prevention system. In crash testing, the B05 scored maximum points in both side barrier and side pole impacts. Its center airbag ensured full protection against occupant head contact, and it achieved a 100 percent score for pelvis and femur protection for vulnerable road users.
The source report, citing NCAP via CarNewsChina and Stellantis, frames these results as countering a narrative of inferior Chinese EV safety. It contrasts the rigorous European testing with U.S. Standards, referencing a past study which found EU models were, on average, 33 percent safer for risk of serious injury in common front-side crashes.
