ANCAP Safety launches Safe and Green consumer guide

ANCAP Safety says meeting environmental targets should not come at the cost of safety in the future vehicle fleet of Australasia and it is launching a Safe and Green guide for consumers.

It is a quick-reference guide listing the range of alternative-powered models rated by ANCAP together with a summary of their safety performance.

“It is clear more needs to be done to encourage the supply of alternative-powered vehicles to help reduce emissions and create a cleaner and sustainable environment. We want to remind consumers, fleet buyers, governments and the industry that the maintenance of high levels of safety must also remain a key factor,” ANCAP chief executive officer Carla Hoorweg says.

“We know safety and environmental performance are top-of-mind considerations for the majority of new car buyers today, and ANCAP has seen high levels of safety performance continue to flow through our ratings when evaluating the mix of electric, plug-in hybrid, hybrid and hydrogen-powered vehicle models.

“To help accelerate this demand and build confidence among consumers that they don’t need to sacrifice safety when it comes to choosing an alternative-powered vehicle, ANCAP is prioritising the testing and rating of these vehicles as part of our routine star rating program,” she says.

ANCAP’s encouragement of new safety technologies has resulted in economic benefits* of in excess of $440 million over the period 2019 to 2021 through fewer crashes causing fatalities, serious injuries and vehicle damage. The high levels of safety provided in the alternative-powered vehicle models available in our market to date – carrying through the high levels of safety offered by traditional petrol and diesel models – has helped contribute to this significant saving.

“It is critical that initiatives to promote uptake of alternative-powered vehicles do not undermine the safety of Australasia’s vehicle fleet, and we’re calling on all levels of government to ensure subsidies and incentives are only provided to models that offer the highest levels of safety,” Hoorweg says

“’We’re on the cusp of seeing a number of lower-cost EVs arrive in our market. Adopting a sensible approach reinforces to the industry – existing and new market entrants – that high levels of safety are expected with any and all new alternative-powered models that are on their radar for potential release into our market,” she says.

ANCAP’s complete consumer guide, Safe and Green, is available at ancap.com.au/safeandgreen.