Green NCAP has once again reminded us that a car's environmental impact doesn't end at the tailpipe. The organization compared popular new models in Europe across their entire lifecycle: from raw materials and production to delivery, energy use, driving, and disposal.
The headline finding isn't good news for marketing. Electric vehicles are often called zero-emission, but Green NCAP considers that label misleading without context. Swapping a gas tank for a battery doesn't automatically make a car sustainable; the total footprint depends on battery size, vehicle weight, and how the energy was generated. Among ICE and hybrid models, results were notably lower.
The Dacia Sandero TCe 100 earned 3 stars and a 59% score. In real-world use, the petrol version showed decent efficiency, but it trailed hybrid and electric alternatives on greenhouse gases.
The Citroen C3 Hybrid scored 3.5 stars and 62%, thanks to its mild hybrid system that particularly helps in city driving. The VW Passat 1.5 eTSI got 3 stars and 52%: 6.8 out of 10 for air quality, but only 3.4 for greenhouse gases.
Electric cars performed better. The Renault 5 E-Tech achieved 5 stars and 94%, with 9.1/10 for air quality, 9.3/10 for energy efficiency, and a perfect 10 for greenhouse gases. The Mini Cooper E did even better: 5 stars and 95%. Green NCAP highlighted its compact size, efficient drivetrain, and a CO2-equivalent figure of 117 g/km, one of the lowest in the rankings.
The Jeep Avenger Electric scored 5 stars and 96%, but it illustrates an important point: driving conditions significantly affect consumption. In mild weather, it is rated at 16.4 kWh/100 km, but at −7°C it can rise to 24.8 kWh/100 km.
The BMW 520i Mildhybrid got 2.5 stars and 46%: 6.5/10 for air quality and 2.7/10 for greenhouse gases. For buyers, such a detailed rating is more useful than a simple label like 'electric' or 'hybrid.' Sometimes lighter, smaller, and more efficient means more than the loudest green slogan.