Green NCAP announces top performing cars and vans

Green NCAP has revealed the best environmental performers in each vehicle category, with the GWM Ora 03 – originally called the Funky Cat – scoring top marks in the Small Family Car and Full Electric Car categories.

In achieving five-star ratings, all Green NCAP’s top performers are electric. However, in awarding category winners for 2023, Green NCAP has included categories for diesel and petrol to recognise carmakers that are committed to introducing cleaner and more efficient engine designs. 

Dr Aleksandar Damyanov, Green NCAP technical manager, said: “Industry has now understood that the new Euro 7 regulation will not lead to the huge step forward in emissions control as originally foreseen, which leaves the market open to competition. 

“The responsibility for cleaner air might just lie more on the shoulders of industry rather than on regulators. 

“We hope these category winners give guidance on which brands are making progress in a sustainable direction.”

The definition of the category winners is not based on the life cycle assessment (LCA), but on the measurement results of a vehicle’s tailpipe pollutant emissions, the fuel or energy consumption it needs to drive, and the sum of direct greenhouse gas output and the emissions related to the production and supply of the fuel/energy.

A calculation is made of the average value of the scores in each of the three indexes: Clean Air, Greenhouse Gas and Energy Efficiency. 

The average score is given in percentage and is used as the basis for comparison of the vehicles, where the vehicle with the highest average score is the category winner.

Full Electric Car Category and Small Family Car Category: ORA 03 (Funky Cat) 

In Green NCAP’s tests, Great Wall Motor’s small family car demonstrated good efficiency under a variety of conditions and made use of its aerodynamic design and high charging efficiency, helping improve its overall consumption and reducing costs for drivers.

Toby Marshall, managing director, GWM ORA, said: “We’re delighted with the fantastic results that ORA 03 has achieved as part of the rigorous Green NCAP testing.

“As the winner of two key categories, it is clear that ORA 03 has exceptional sustainability and efficiency credentials, factors that will resonate strongly with UK consumers.”

Diesel Car Category: Vauxhall/Opel Mokka 

The Mokka takes advantage of a well-tailored diesel powertrain and is convincing not only by its low fuel consumption values but also by scoring well in the Clean Air Index. 

It managed to minimise the output of pollutants, through a state-of-the-art exhaust aftertreatment system that remained robust and effective under most test conditions. However, the diesel Mokka is not available in the UK, only petrol and electric versions.

Petrol Car Category: Škoda Kamiq 

The Škoda Kamiq proved to be a good allrounder, making reasonable use of the efficiency potential of a small, turbocharged petrol engine and adequate emissions management to keep pollutant emissions levels low.

Both the diesel Opel Mokka and the petrol Škoda Kamiq can be seen as a reference for good-performing conventional fossil fuel vehicles, said Green NCAP.

Executive Car Category: Tesla Model S 

The Tesla Model S impresses not only in its cutting-edge technology features but also in its attention to energy efficiency, performance, and driving range. 

Regardless of its size and mass, Green NCAP says that the Model S sets an example in the segment of pure electric luxury cars.

Small MPV Category: Renault Kangoo 

The Kangoo E-Tech offers enhanced transport capabilities for goods and targets small and medium businesses. 

With its relatively small battery (45 kWh), Green NCAP says that the car is meant to be used mainly on shorter distances, but this usage case very clearly highlights all the everyday advantages of the fully electric powertrain, provided that the vehicle can be charged as required by the user.

Small SUV Category: VW ID5 

Even though it weighs more than 2,100 kg due to its big battery, the ID5 demonstrated impressive efficiency performance. 

The recorded consumption values were among the lowest measured by Green NCAP so far and allowed this EV to win first place in its Small SUV category.