Euro NCAP has issued van safety ratings for 2023, using tougher new protocols to increase safety technology standards for drivers and fleets.

The Fiat Ducato once again tops the list but drops to Gold under this year’s tougher protocol

The voluntary vehicle safety programme launched its first van ratings in 2021, focused on the performance of technologies that avoid or mitigate crashes. The ratings were revisited in 2022, showing good improvements in system performance and availability, and now enhanced for 2023 with tighter criteria.

The updated ratings span 18 commercial vans. The Fiat Ducato, classed as Platinum last year, has once again topped the list but drops to Gold under this year’s tougher protocol.

It’s joined by the Ford Transit, which also achieved a Gold rating.

The Mercedes-Benz Vito drops from Gold to Silver and shares this rating with the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Volkswagen Transporter, Renault Trafic, Nissan Primastar and Volkswagen Crafter.

Sitting in the Bronze category are the Citroën Dispatch (or Jumpy in mainland Europe) and Relay (Jumper), Iveco Daily, Vauxhall/Opel Vivaro and Movano, Peugeot Expert and Boxer, Renault Master and Toyota Proace.

The Nissan Interstar continues to be rated ‘Not Recommended’ based on its lack of crash avoidance systems.

Commercial vans do not have a higher crash rate than other vehicles, but crashes involving vans tend to be more severe for other vehicles involved and vulnerable road users.

ADAS technology can help effectively prevent or mitigate the consequences of these crashes, but commercial vans are often not adequately equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

Euro NCAP’s new criteria for its van ratings advances the ADAS focus with greater emphasis on vulnerable road users including pedestrian safety, with focus on night-time scenarios, and cyclists as well as the introduction of one new van-to-car crash scenario.

Under its plans, vans will be expected to have the same ADAS requirements as passenger cars by 2026, at which date the van rating will only consider standard fitment across all European markets. The organisation is also introducing a rating scheme for HGVs.

Michiel van Ratingen, secretary-general Euro NCAP, said: “Safety technologies and innovative solutions are developing at a fast pace. Euro NCAP must develop its criteria to ensure that manufacturers maintain the impetus to innovate and make available the latest safety technologies in all vehicles on European roads. Just because vans are used for commercial purposes, does not mean they should be any less safe than passenger cars. Under Euro NCAP’s plans by 2026, vans will be expected to meet the same ADAS requirements as passenger cars.”

Thatcham Research, the UK’s only Euro NCAP-accredited testing centre, welcomed the latest van results but noted the need for further action by OEMs.

Chief research strategy officer Matthew Avery said: “With 13.5% of the whole vehicle fleet comprising of vans, it’s important that van drivers, and those sharing the roads with them, are protected. This latest set of results demonstrates that manufacturers are responding positively and it’s of note that the UK’s most popular commercial van, the Ford Transit, secured a ‘Gold’ rating.

“However, the fitment of crash avoidance technology seen on vans has some way to go before gaining parity with the high levels of standard fitment we enjoy on cars today.”