Euro NCAP has unveiled the first set of safety ratings for Heavy Goods Vehicles under its new Truck Safe programme, marking a significant expansion of its vehicle testing protocols. This initiative aligns with Euro NCAP’s mission to achieve Vision Zero, aiming to eliminate road fatalities and serious injuries.
The first assessments focused on nine long-haul trucks, which collectively represent 95% of this vehicle category on European roads. Two models from Volvo, the FH Aero and FM, received the highest possible five-star ratings, while the Iveco S-WAY scored just one star. The evaluation encompassed three key performance categories:
- Safe Driving: Monitoring, vision, and driver assistance systems.
- Collision Avoidance: Effectiveness of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
- Post-Crash Safety: Emergency access and rescue within the “golden hour.”
Four vehicles also received the newly introduced CitySafe accreditation, recognising designs and technologies aimed at reducing urban collision risks.
Truck ratings
| Truck Model | TRUCK SAFE Rating | CitySafe | Safe Driving (%) | Collision Avoidance (%) | Rescue (%) |
| Volvo FH Aero | ★★★★★ | Yes | 80% | 89% | 80% |
| Volvo FM | ★★★★★ | Yes | 87% | 89% | 80% |
| Scania G-series | ★★★★☆ | Yes | 71% | 62% | 80% |
| Renault Trucks T | ★★★★☆ | No | 72% | 70% | 80% |
| Mercedes-Benz Actros L | ★★★☆☆ | No | 72% | 51% | 80% |
| Scania R-series | ★★★☆☆ | No | 64% | 62% | 80% |
| MAN TGX | ★★★☆☆ | No | 56% | 60% | 80% |
| DAF XF | ★★★☆☆ | Yes | 85% | 35% | 80% |
| IVECO S-WAY | ★☆☆☆☆ | No | 32% | 19% | 80% |
Addressing HGV safety
Despite comprising less than 3% of Europe’s traffic, HGVs account for 15% of road fatalities, with 89% of casualties involving other road users such as car occupants and pedestrians. Euro NCAP’s Truck Safe programme seeks to reduce these risks by providing objective safety assessments.
Matthew Avery, Director of Strategic Development at Euro NCAP, highlighted the importance of this initiative:
“This testing shows significant differences in the safety of current truck models, providing a snapshot of the market before Euro NCAP’s influence. Manufacturers like Volvo have demonstrated how advanced safety technologies can save lives.”
Testing and future developments
The tests, conducted at accredited facilities across Europe, adopted a lifecycle-based approach, assessing safety measures from pre-crash intervention to post-crash rescue. Passive safety evaluations, such as collision protection, will be incorporated into the protocol from 2030.
Euro NCAP plans to release further Truck Safe results in 2025, focusing on rigid long-haul trucks in April and urban distribution vehicles in October.