Euro NCAP in the world
How do the crash tests differ between the Euro NCAP and US NCAP programmes? Given its 10 years of experience, does Euro NCAP have any advice to give other countries that are in the process of establishing similar organisations?
How do the crash tests differ between the Euro NCAP and US NCAP programmes?
In the Euro NCAP test only 40% of the vehicle width is impacted into a deformable barrier face, whereas in the US NCAP test 100% of the vehicle width is impacted into a flat rigid wall. The Euro NCAP test provides a more stringent test of the vehicle’s structure/bodyshell and is more representative of real world accidents.
Please see the example of the Kia Sedona/Carnival below.
Euro NCAP
US NCAP
Driver rating, frontal crash
NCAP organisations exist in the USA, Japan, Korea and Australia, as well as Europe. To be effective, the test and assessment protocols need to be scientifically sound and they should be recognised as such by the car manufacturers. The body needs to be independent from commercial interests and ideally independent of government control. This is achieved in Euro NCAP by having members from different governments and other bodies.