Three Chinese electric vehicle models received the top five-star grade in a European new-car safety assessment. An assessment says Chinese EV makers are meeting the European market's high standards for safety as well as price competitiveness.

On Sept. 7, electric vehicle outlet Electrek reported that GAC's AION UT, Geely's E2 and the Stellantis-sold Leapmotor B05 recently earned five stars in Euro NCAP tests.

The results are drawing attention for shaking earlier concerns over the safety of China-made EVs. Euro NCAP is a European new-car safety assessment programme that evaluates a range of categories including crash protection, crash prevention and post-crash safety, as well as pedestrian protection.

Euro NCAP programme director Aled Williams said Chinese automakers are making sustained efforts to meet the high safety standards European consumers expect. He said their active acceptance of the tightened assessment criteria shows a commitment to presenting safer vehicles on European roads.

By model, the Leapmotor B05 stood out most for crash protection performance. The B05 scored 92 percent for crash protection, with 77 percent for crash avoidance and 89 percent for post-crash safety. It received full marks in side barrier and side pole crash tests, and Euro NCAP assessed that a central airbag provided full protection by preventing head contact between occupants during a collision.

Its automatic emergency braking system was also cited as a strength. The B05 detected vehicles and avoided collisions across various scenarios, including on motorways and at intersections, and its lane-keeping system also received a high score. It scored 100 percent for pelvic and femur protection for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians.

GAC's AION UT also posted consistently high scores across four assessment areas. It recorded 91 percent for crash protection and 88 percent for post-crash safety. Euro NCAP assessed that the crash avoidance system fitted to the AION UT performed well in most test scenarios. It noted, however, that the forward monitoring function for detecting vehicles or motorcycles at intersections was relatively lacking.

The Geely E2 posted the highest score among the three models for post-crash safety, at 95 percent. In some markets it is sold under the name EX2. It was assessed as showing generally high occupant protection performance despite being a small electric hatchback.

In particular, the E2 was rated positively for appropriately placing physical buttons for key driving functions and infotainment controls. A standard child presence detection function also contributed additional points.

The results show that the competitive landscape for Chinese EVs in Europe is expanding from price to safety and product appeal. The Leapmotor B05 competes with European hatchbacks such as the Renault Megane and Volkswagen Golf, while the AION UT counts the Mini Aceman, Renault 4 and Volkswagen ID. Polo among rival models.

For Chinese automakers, earning five stars in Euro NCAP could be an important factor in boosting brand credibility in Europe. With European consumers using not only price but also crash safety and advanced driver assistance systems as key buying criteria, securing high safety ratings could also help improve perceptions of Chinese EVs.

Debate is also resurfacing over differences between U.S. and European vehicle safety assessment standards. Euro NCAP is assessed as reflecting real-world crash situations more broadly than some U.S. safety assessment systems. Recently, claims have also been raised that European and U.S. safety standards are not at the same level and that, in some crash tests, European vehicles on average showed higher protection performance.

Ultimately, winning five stars can be read as a signal that the competitiveness of Chinese EVs in Europe has risen by another step, beyond the safety ratings of the three models alone. Chinese EV makers that have targeted the European market on price are now moving into head-on competition with European automakers by putting safety to the fore as well.