General Motors’ Ampera (sold in Europe by Vauxhall and Opel) is the first European electric vehicle to be awarded the maximum five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP.
The five-door sedan performed to five-star standards in categories including occupant protection, child safety, pedestrian protection and safety assist and was the first vehicle to score maximum points in EuroNCAP’s new pole impact test which simulates side-crashes into light poles and trees.
As an electric car, the Ampera was also ranked on the safety of its electrical components in crashes – not only the protection of the battery pack but also post-crash safety so that it has zero voltage flowing following an impact in order to aid occupant exit and rescue by crash crews.
