Another Chinese EV myth busted as GAC, Geely, and Leapmotor ace Euro NCAP

Three new Chinese-made electric cars have earned the top five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP, Europe's independent crash-test program, which is widely seen as tougher than the U.S. equivalent because American regulators let automakers self-certify their results rather than running fully independent tests. The models are the GAC Aion UT, a small electric hatchback; the Geely E2, a small hatchback that was China's best-selling car last year; and the Leapmotor B05, made under Stellantis, which competes with cars like the Renault Megane and Volkswagen Golf.

All three scored well across the four categories NCAP measures: how well the car helps drivers avoid crashes, how well it protects occupants when a crash happens, and how well it holds up for people and emergency responders after a crash. The Leapmotor B05 stood out for strong automatic braking, lane-keeping, and side-impact protection, while the Geely E2 scored especially high for post-crash safety and includes a standard system that detects if a child has been left in the car.

None of these three models are sold in the U.S., so this news doesn't change anything for your own driveway. But it's a useful data point if you're following the debate over Chinese-made vehicles, electric or otherwise, and whether they measure up on safety. These results suggest that at least by Europe's strict testing standards, several newer Chinese EVs are performing on par with established brands.