Euro NCAP has carried out its first crash safety test on a plug in

electric vehicle. The European safety organisation, carried out an assessment on the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, which achieved a very creditable four star rating.

Some sceptics had argued, that crashed electric vehicles could create dangers through damage to electrical systems and live batteries, however, with the Mitsubishi i-MiEV this was not the case.

Euro NCAP says that during the tests, special attention was given to post-crash battery integrity and the proper functioning of the battery cut-off switch, that isolates the high-voltage battery in the event of a crash. No electrical or fire hazards were detected during the testing of the i-MiEV.

Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP’s Secretary General said, 'We recognise the efforts done by Mitsubishi to demonstrate that plug-in battery powered cars can be as safe as others. It shows that a future 5 star accolade for EVs is not unthinkable. Whether produced by established car manufacturers or by new players on the market, consumers should expect to get electric vehicles that meet the same safety standards as conventional vehicles.’