Dacia Spring electric SUV named 2022 car of the year for best environmental impact.
An assessment by independent testing group Green NCAP, an offshoot of Euro NCAP safety regulator, awarded the Dacia EV an impressive five-star rating.
Such strong performance puts the inexpensive Dacia Spring ahead of pricier models like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Audi Q4 E-tron Sportback.
Going Green on a Budget
Similar to the Euro NCAP safety testing scheme, Green NCAP evaluates cars against a range of criteria. The electric Dacia Spring scored a top 10 out of 10 on the Clean Air Index for its apparent lack of exhaust emissions.
However, Spring also impresses when it comes to energy use, recording a never-before-seen 9.8 out of 10 in the Energy Efficiency Index.
Testers found that with a top speed limited to 125 km/h (78 mph) due to its low weight, the Dacia used 89 percent of its charge. Green NCAP says Spring “sets an example for others”.
Latest Green NCAP Scores
However, UK motorists have a problem. Currently, the Spring isn’t on sale in the UK, but there are rumors that the Dacia could be available in the UK from 2024.
Green NCAP has also released the results of its latest round of testing for 2023, with the Kia Picanto city car earning three stars.
After testing in GT Line trim with the 1.0-litre petrol engine, evaluators recommended the use of a petrol particulate filter to further enhance the small Picanto’s performance.
The Vauxhall Mokka 1.5-litre diesel engine also received a three-star rating, while the petrol 220i version of the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer received only two stars.
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Dacia Spring EV gets five-star green rating. But there’s a catch…