The all-electric Nio ET5 and Nio EL7 have become the first cars to achieve five stars in updated Euro NCAP safety testing procedures introduced this year.
For 2023, Euro NCAP’s updated protocol includes systems for child presence detection, vehicle submergence, and requirements for the latest technologies that detect and respond to motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users. The two Nio models were the first vehicles to be put through the car-to-motorcycle, car-to-car crossing, car-to-car head-on, dooring, and driver-state monitoring safety scenarios.
The testing agency says the ET5 and EL7 “delivered exceptional performance in most of the test cases.” The cars also passed tests to show that if they enter water, the doors and windows will remain functional long enough to allow the occupants to escape. The ET5 and EL7 both showed how quickly active safety technologies have developed in recent years but still have room for improvement when it comes to more challenging scenarios like car-to-car crossing at high speeds.
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“As the new rating gets tougher, to be among the first cars tested might be slightly daunting,” Euro NCAP secretary general Michiel van Ratingen said. “However, NIO has stepped up to the challenge and achieved two five-star results, underlining their big ambitions for the brand. Safety technologies are becoming complex, yet I want to reassure consumers that Euro NCAP will continue to anticipate and adapt to changes in our rating scheme, challenging vehicle manufacturers to ensure drivers – and the road users they interact with – are offered the safest possible vehicles.”
Both the ET5 and EL7 have an ultra-long-range LiDAR and while this will primarily benefit autonomous driving systems in the future, it already helps to improve their collision avoidance capabilities.
