“Surpassed Tesla and BYD” ... Hyundai earns the most five-star ratings in Europe’s eco-friendly vehicle assessment

[Financial News] Hyundai Motor Company has become the brand with the most top ratings in Europe’s vehicle environmental performance assessments, surpassing Tesla, China’s BYD and Renault. A total of seven models, including the Ioniq 5 and 6, Casper Electric and Nexo, earned the top five-star rating. The achievement is seen as recognition of the company’s technological competitiveness not only in EVs but also in hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, amid intensifying competition in Europe’s eco-friendly vehicle market.
According to industry sources on the 1st, since 2019 Hyundai has had a total of seven models earn the top five-star rating in Green NCAP, Europe’s vehicle environmental performance assessment program. This is the highest number among global automakers.
Green NCAP is a vehicle environmental performance assessment program overseen and supported by Euro NCAP, Europe’s new-car safety assessment program. Since 2019, it has assessed and published results every year on vehicles’ emissions of air pollutants, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions, among other factors.
Hyundai models awarded the top rating include the Ioniq Electric, beginning in 2019, followed by the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, Casper Electric, first- and second-generation Kona Electric, and Nexo.
Among competing brands, Renault and China’s BYD each had five models earn five stars, while four models from U.S. automaker Tesla received the rating. Kia had two models, including the EV4 and EV6, named among the top-rated vehicles.
Hyundai received particularly high ratings for its Ioniq series, developed on a dedicated EV platform. The Ioniq 5 earned five stars in 2022, followed by the Ioniq 6 in 2024, demonstrating the series’ competitive edge in EV energy efficiency.
Green NCAP highlighted efficiency-enhancing technologies in the Ioniq 6, including its aerodynamic design and heat-pump system. It also viewed favorably the car’s ability to achieve a driving range in the 500-kilometer range, thanks to its high energy efficiency and battery performance.
The Ioniq 5’s strengths were identified as its high energy efficiency and low greenhouse gas emissions. It was also rated highly for maintaining a long driving range even in typical driving conditions with the air conditioning on.
The company also demonstrated its competitiveness in small EVs and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. Last year, Casper Electric was rated favorably for allowing drivers to adjust regenerative braking in stages, reducing the need to use the brake and accelerator pedals and improving energy efficiency. Casper Electric is sold in Europe under the name INSTER.
The Kona Electric was recognized for reducing energy consumption through its high power-transfer efficiency of 92%. Both the first-generation model in 2020 and the second-generation model in 2024 earned five stars.
The hydrogen fuel-cell Nexo was also included among the top-rated vehicles. In its 2021 assessment, it received full marks in both the air-pollutant and greenhouse-gas emissions categories. It is the only hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle among all those assessed by Green NCAP to have received the top rating.
Hyundai’s achievement is also significant because eco-friendly vehicle sales are growing rapidly in the European market.
According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), European EV sales totaled 2,549,810 units from January to September this year, up 41.9% from the same period a year earlier. Hybrid vehicle sales over the same period also rose 9.9% to 3,794,062 units.
As EV and hybrid sales expand in Europe, energy efficiency and greenhouse-gas emissions performance are emerging as key competitive factors for automakers. Hyundai is also expected to step up its push into the European market with an eco-friendly vehicle lineup spanning EVs and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles.
A Hyundai Motor Company official said, “This means Hyundai’s eco-friendly performance has been recognized,” adding, “We plan to continue expanding our eco-friendly vehicle lineup and strengthening our competitiveness.”

[email protected] Kim Dong-ho Reporter