What is Green NCAP?

As the world of motoring evolves to make way for a future of electric cars, so too does the standard of zero emissions vehicles. 

To govern this, an initiative called Green NCAP was created to promote the development of energy efficient cars to ensure they meet the correct ‘clean’ standards, so as not to harm the environment.

A star rating system has been introduced by Green NCAP so that cars can be indexed accordingly by their environmentally friendly performance. This comparison system is designed so that drivers looking to invest in an electric vehicle (EV) can make an informed decision about their choice of vehicle.

Established in 2016 Green NCAP is managed by the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) which provides the safety ratings for all newly manufactured cars in the UK and across Europe. Here at Octane Finance, we explain how the Green NCAP system works, how to find your car’s Green NCAP score, plus the top three greenest cars available in 2022…         

What is considered a ‘green’ vehicle?

By definition, a ‘green’ vehicle is one that’s classed as clean, eco-friendly and doesn’t have a harmful effect on the environment. As we know, standard combustion engine cars emit toxins into the air which have contributed to climate change. In a bid to cut emissions and reduce the levels of harmful gases released, car manufacturers are ploughing their efforts into producing electric vehicles, including plug-in hybrids. 

In essence, ‘green’ vehicles are powered by alternative fuels - be it battery power, hydrogen, or fuel-cell - to reduce carbon emissions and help protect the at-risk ozone layer which protects our planet. To be considered a fully green vehicle, a car needs to have a far less harmful impact on the environment compared to the standard combustion engine alternative.     

What is Green NCAP used for?

The Green NCAP system is used to ensure cars are being manufactured to standards which reflect the clean, energy efficient standards it has outlined. Its mission is to improve the quality of the air that we breathe, while aiming to minimise the resources used in the production of vehicles to reduce the detrimental effect of global warming.  

As an indexed-based system, the highest standard a Green NCAP-approved car can achieve is a five-star rating. This top score is given to a car that effectively maximises the reduction of its own pollutants AND greenhouse gases, while at the same time, can operate with minimised fossil fuel and/or electricity consumption.  

How does the Green NCAP system work?

All Green NCAP scores are tested under ‘real-world’ conditions. This means that vehicles undergoing a Green NCAP score are subject to a series of measurable tests in order to achieve a designated star rating. The driving part of the Green NCAP test is split into three components which cover urban, rural and motorway driving. A Portable Emissions Measurement System (PEMS) is then attached to the back of the car to assess measurements of any pollutant emissions at the same time.  

Green NCAPs testing process is based on what is called the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). It believes that to fully understand the ecological impact and sustainability of a car, the entire ‘life cycle’ must be scrutinised. To put this into context, all the processes and flows of resources and energy associated with the vehicle during the production stages, period of usage, and the recycling disposal at the end of its life. As such, the LCA process will not be as precise as standard emissions testing. 

From 2022, a two-stage testing approach has been introduced; this means that cars which have performed well in the first stage will qualify for an additional robustness test in the second stage of the process. All Green NCAP rated cars are scored out of 10 in the following three categories:

1. Clean Air Index
2. Energy Efficiency Index
3. Greenhouse Gas       

What is my car’s Green NCAP score?

If you’re considering purchasing a new EV, or already own an electric car or plug-in hybrid model and are curious to know its Green NCAP rating, then you can discover the latest ratings of all cars tested on its website. Search by year, engine, gear, make and/or model to find the results of each vehicle.  

How green is your car?

By 2035, the UK government has agreed to ban the sale of all new conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, to be replaced by hybrid and electric alternatives instead. Motorists are gradually coming around to the idea of investing in electric cars, but there are obvious concerns when it comes to the infrastructure surrounding common everyday use and accessibility for everyone.   

However, not all electric cars perform equally. For this reason, consumers need to be realistically informed about an EVs performance, including its energy consumption and any possible greenhouse gas emissions, before they can make an informed choice. 

Green NCAP results 2022

In June 2022, Green NCAP announced a toughened rating system to improve the overall results of zero emissions vehicles. As technologies continually improve, the star rating scheme has been updated to accommodate such changes to EVs. 

Technical manager at Green NCAP, Aleksander Damyanov, explains how the Green NCAP system has adapted in 2022, he says: “Previously cars obtained a star rating based on their emissions and efficiency performance from the charging point or fuel pump, to the performance they delivered on the road. Green NCAP’s new rating covers a greenhouse gas assessment, signifying a much broader approach.”

Top 3 Green NCAP cars of 2022

The most recent round of Green NCAP results were released in August 2022. From these results, we’ve published the top three-rated cars of the year so far:

1. Dacia Spring - 33KW Electric - 5 stars

• Clean Air Index 10/10
• Energy Efficiency Index 9.8/10
• Greenhouse Gas 10/10

1. Audi Q4 e-Tron - Sportback 50 Quattro - 5 stars

• Clean Air Index 10/10
• Energy Efficiency Index 9.2/10
• Greenhouse Gas 10/10

1. Lynk & Co 01 - 192KW Plug-in Hybrid - 3.5 stars

• Clean Air Index 6.8/10
• Energy Efficiency Index 6.0/10
• Greenhouse Gas 5.6/10

Keep an eye out for the next round of Green NCAP results which are due to be published later this year. In the meantime, if you’re thinking of investing in an electric car, take a look at our ‘Government grants for electric cars’ blog to understand how you can benefit from EV-based incentives.