Who says that electric cars can’t be as safe as vehicles with combustion engines? The Renault ZOE (pictured) is clearly determined to quash that theory.
The electric car has been given a five-star rating after safety tests carried out by Euro NCAP: this in spite of a harsher noting system that was introduced at the turn of the year.
Overall, the Renault ZOE achieved a rating of 82 per cent: including a maximum safety rating for pedestrians. It has addressed one of the primary concerns about electric cars by employing an audible warning system that lets people know when the vehicle is approaching.
So how has the Renault ZOE achieved this remarkable result?
The car actually shares its platform with the New Renault Clio and is said to guarantee even more effective protection. In terms of adult occupant protection, there are two high efficiency airbags; seat cushion airbags; and seat belts with pre-tensioners. It also incorporates Fix4Sure technology that has been developed to combat submarining: this is when passengers slide under their seat belts during head-on impacts. All occupants benefit from a special hump in the seat cushion and the low position of seatbelt buckles.
As for child protection, the Renault ZOE makes a three-point Isofix child seat anchorage available for the front passenger seat as well as the outer rear seats: helping it to child protection ratings among the best in the B-segment with 39 points out of 49.
As mentioned, the vehicle is also a leader in terms of pedestrian protection: its bumper has no salient edges; and the lower section of the windscreen has been purposefully designed to reduce injuries.
Other features that assist the Renault ZOE’s safety performance include a speed limiter as standard; an audible and visual seat belt reminder for all seats; and cruise control.
Paul is a freelance writer with a background in everything from motoring to finance; and holidays to women's undergarments he just writes about them, honestly! He has now sadly crept into his early 30s and seems to have forgotten everything learned at school Still, he's a green car fanatic and isn't that what counts?
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