First Euro NCAP truck safety results published

Vehicle rating specialist Euro NCAP has released the first set of results from its Truck Safe assessment programme, which has seen truck models from major European manufacturers gauged for their safety credentials across three performance categories.

The first cohort tested within Truck Safe were from the long-haul segment. The nine trucks assessed represent 95 per cent of the trucks in this category currently on Europe’s roads, says Euro NCAP.

Volvo Trucks’ FH Aero and FM models both earned the maximum five-star rating, with the Renault Trucks T and Scania G-series each scoring four stars. The remainder of the vehicles assessed scored from one to three stars.

The Truck Safe protocol is designed to measure vehicle safety across the lifecycle of an accident. For this specific assessment, the focus is on three ‘stages of safety’, says Euro NCAP:  the hours and minutes before an accident with an emphasis on safe driving; active safety system intervention before an incident or crash avoidance; and the post-crash ‘golden hour’ after an incident.

A percentage score is awarded for performance during each stage, then these scores are collated to provide an overall rating out of five stars.

The results for all of the models included in the first cohort, including commentary for each, can be found at the Euro NCAP website.

Specific elements tested for include direct and indirect vision of vulnerable road users; driver monitoring such as seatbelt use and attentiveness; speed assistance; automated emergency braking (AEB) to protect against collisions with pedestrians, cyclists and passenger cars; lane support and emergency lane keeping; and rescue information, covering access to occupants post-crash.

In addition, a CitySafe accreditation was awarded to four of the trucks assessed, signifying that they featured technologies or designs that could prevent accidents typically occurring in urban environments – for example, AEB technology in the event that unseen bicycles are detected alongside vehicles making turns at junctions.

Matthew Avery, director of strategic development at Euro NCAP, said: “This testing shows there is a big difference between the relative safety of current truck models.

“It’s worth noting the differences we’re seeing are down to manufacturers’ current safety strategies. That means these results provide a strong snapshot of the HGV market before Euro NCAP influences the safety of vehicles.

“The results show that there are plenty of safety features available in the market and not necessarily just with more expensive models. For instance, Renault, that achieved four stars, is positioned towards the less expensive end of the market.

“And likewise, there’s a big question over who makes the safest truck. I think it’s interesting that Volvo, without any motivation from Euro NCAP, has produced a truck that’s done really, really well and represents real safety gains on European roads.

“Volvo has the technologies that are going to address most of the crashes that account for the 3,000 or so people that are killed every year on Europe’s roads.”

Dr. Michiel van Ratingen, secretary general at Euro NCAP, added: “Our first set of Truck Safe testing protocols do a fantastic job of assessing capability and identifying which manufacturers are performing well. In due course, we will add passive safety (collision protection) by 2030 to further address the problems of truck-to-car crashes.

“As well as inspiring manufacturers to build safer trucks, Truck Safe will also unite everyone within the HGV safety ecosystem for the first time.

“These stakeholders have a lot to gain from having safer trucks on Europe’s roads, whether that’s road authorities being able to reduce the societal cost of road transport and supporting a growing economy, freight shippers minimising their reputational risk and protecting their brand, or helping manufacturers to build safer trucks that will be more attractive to the market.

“It’s a well-known fact that a safe truck is a more profitable vehicle, and that’s something that benefits business and Europe as a whole.”

Commenting on the Volvo models’ success under the scheme, Roger Alm, president of Volvo Trucks, said: “This outstanding result makes me so proud as it confirms Volvo Trucks’ leading position in safety.

“Safety is a core value for us and a cornerstone in our heritage. It has been guiding us from the very start of our company – and with every new product launch we are making our trucks even safer.”

Anna Wrige Berling, traffic and product safety director at Volvo Trucks, added: “This is proof of our consistent efforts in safety developments to go beyond what is required by legislation, towards our vision of zero accidents involving our trucks.

“Euro NCAP ratings will guide customers in their purchase decisions as well as challenge vehicle manufacturers to continuously work to improve safety.”

Sara Forsberg, chief technical officer at Scania, said: “Our commitment at Scania is to prioritise road safety, and we applaud Euro NCAP’s extended safety assessments to heavy trucks. This new rating system will elevate industry standards, fostering meaningful advancements that benefit all road users.”