So far, 19 Indian cars have been tested under the new crash test protocol implemented by Global NCAP from July 2022. These new guidelines test the safety of cars to more stringent standards.
Today, more cars and SUVs are getting 5-star ratings than when the “Safer Cars for India” campaign was launched 10 years ago. But, there are some cars like the Citroen eC3, which have failed miserably in the new crash test. Yes, we are talking about the Citroen eC3, which has been given a 0-star rating in the crash test by Global NCAP.
So far, 19 Indian cars have been tested under the new crash test protocol implemented by Global NCAP from July 2022. But, the Citroen eC3 was the first electric car to be tested under the new rules of Global NCAP, but it had the lowest rating. The Citroen eC3 got a 0-star rating in the crash test, which is a very poor rating.
Adult Safety
While this electric hatchback managed to score 20.86/34 points in adult safety, its rating was affected by the lack of ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and the non-compliance of the seatbelt reminder. Apart from this, the car also did not meet the standards of pedestrian safety. The chest and leg protection of the driver and passenger was also considered inadequate.
Lack of child safety
The Citroen eC3 got 10.55 points out of 49 in child safety (COP), due to which it got a 1-star rating. The test found that it lacks ISOFIX mounts, due to which the child seat is not safe. In the front impact, the head of the 3-year-old dummy hit the interior parts of the vehicle, while in the side impact, the head of the 18-month-old dummy was found completely exposed.
Special focus on safety rating
Indian cars have definitely improved under the new safety guidelines, but examples like the Citroen eC3 remind us that there should be no compromise on safety. Customers should pay special attention to safety ratings while choosing a car.
Bharat NCAP test
Bharat NCAP has now started its safety assessment program in India. This is a big step for the Indian market and will make safer cars available in the future. However, cases like the Citroen eC3 make it clear that some car manufacturers still need to improve safety standards.