Nio’s forthcoming ET5 and EL7 electric cars have aced brand-new Euro NCAP safety tests, scoring five-star ratings.

The ET5 saloon and EL7 large SUV scored five stars under Euro NCAP’s tougher new safety tests

The Chinese EV newcomer’s ET5 saloon and EL7 large SUV were the first vehicles to be put through the new protocols, introduced this year. These include new Active Safety scenarios – spanning Car-to-Motorcycle, Car-to-Car Crossing, Car-to-Car Head-on, Dooring and Driver State Monitoring.

Euro NCAP said both vehicles had delivered exceptional performance in most of the test cases, showing the fast-paced changes in active safety technology, but noted that performance in some of the most challenging scenarios (such as its Car-to-Car Crossing test at higher speeds) suggested room for improvement.

Overall, the results reveal that the ET5 scored 96% in adult occupant safety, 85% in child occupant safety, 83% in vulnerable road user safety, and 81% in safety assist tests. Furthermore, it scored full marks in two lateral impact tests: the side mobile barrier and side pole tests.

Meanwhile, the EL7 scored 93% in adult occupant safety, 85% in child occupant safety, 80% in vulnerable road user safety, and 79% in safety assist tests. The EL7 earned full marks in three tests: frontal impact full width rigid barrier testing, and lateral impact side mobile barrier and side pole tests.

Dr Michiel van Ratingen, secretary general at Euro NCAP, said: “As the new rating gets tougher, to be among the first cars tested might be slightly daunting. However, Nio has stepped up to the challenge and achieved two five-star results, underlining their big ambitions for the brand. Safety technologies are becoming complex, yet I want to reassure consumers that Euro NCAP will continue to anticipate and adapt to changes in our rating scheme, challenging vehicle manufacturers to ensure drivers – and the road users they interact with – are offered the safest possible vehicles.”

This week will also see Nio’s ET5 saloon make its UK debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, joining the Electric Avenue.

Already available in China and European markets including Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, the ET5 pays homage to the brand’s EP9 electric supercar that smashed the hill climb record at the Sussex venue in 2018.

The ET5 features a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup with a 204hp motor on the front axle and 286hp at the rear, giving a 0-62mph (100km/h) time of 4.0 seconds. As with all the brand’s EVs, ET5 offers the ability to charge or swap to a fully charged battery at one of its Power Swap Stations in less than five minutes. There are currently 1,561 Power Swap Stations globally, including 18 in Europe.

No official date has been released for the ET5 to go on sale in the UK, but Nio says it’s already working to introduce its model line-up and services, such as battery swapping and showrooms, known as Nio Houses, over here.

The brand is currently planning to bring its products to more than 25 countries and regions around the world by 2025.