Renault Zoe electric car receives zero-star safety rating

The Renault Zoe electric hatchback – which was sold in Australia until 2020 – has become just the third vehicle in history to receive a zero-star safety rating from Euro NCAP.

The model (launched in 2013) had previously held a five-star rating, however was retested following a significant facelift last year.

The crash test protocols found the Zoe provided insufficient occupant safety, while also lacking active safety technology "commonly fitted as standard."

"Renault takes note of the results published by Euro NCAP following specific tests on Zoe according to its new protocol implemented in 2020," the manufacturer said in an official statement.

"First of all, Renault reaffirms that Zoe is a safe vehicle, which complies with all regulatory safety standards. Zoe was launched in 2013 and received five-stars with EuroNCAP protocol at that time," the company continued.

However, Euro NCAP disagrees, with secretary general of the organisation, Michiel van Ratingen, adding: “Renault was once synonymous with safety. The Laguna was the first car to get five stars, back in 2001."

But these disappointing results for the Zoe and the Dacia Spring [one star, released alongside the Zoe's result] show that safety has now become collateral damage in the group’s transition to electric cars."

In Australia the Renault Zoe was launched in 2017, however just 77 examples in total were imported (with 63 reported as sold through dealers) before the model was pulled from the line-up in 2020.

The French manufacturer does not currently offer an electric passenger car to Australian customers – excluding the Kangoo ZE van – however the Megane E-Tech Electric small SUV is expected to come onto the market in 2022 or 2023.