The Tesla Model Y produced an assessed lifetime carbon footprint around 64% lower than the petrol mild-hybrid Volkswagen Tayron in Green NCAP’s latest sustainability ratings.
The assessment put the Model Y’s lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions at 95g CO2-equivalent per kilometre, compared with 263g for the Tayron. The figures cover emissions associated with producing and using the vehicles, rather than exhaust emissions alone.
The rear-wheel-drive Model Y with a 62.6kWh battery secured five stars and an overall score of 93%. The Volkswagen Tayron 1.5 eTSI DSG received two-and-a-half stars and 41%.
Green NCAP said Tesla had shared comprehensive, verified production and battery data for the first time, allowing its assessment of the Berlin-built SUV to use manufacturer-specific information rather than generic assumptions.
Production data shapes EV assessment
The Model Y scored 10 out of 10 for greenhouse gases, with Green NCAP highlighting its efficiency and relatively low emissions associated with manufacturing and operation.
Testing also found effective cabin heating and heat retention in cold conditions. A 10% to 80% DC charge took 24 minutes.
The smaller BYD Dolphin Surf achieved the highest overall score in this group, at 96%, also earning five stars. Green NCAP praised the 43kWh model’s low weight, small battery and energy efficiency, although it identified limitations in range and rear cabin heating.
Its production assessment used generic data for manufacturing in China, rather than verified vehicle-specific information.
The Suzuki e Vitara with a 60kWh battery earned four-and-a-half stars and 87%. Testers praised its low energy consumption and efficient AC charging, but noted slow cabin heating and a 44-minute DC charging time from 10% to 80%.
Green NCAP said the Suzuki’s score was affected by its 1.8-tonne weight and generic assumptions about production in India. Trip computer inaccuracies identified during testing were subsequently addressed through a Suzuki service campaign.
Diesel Golf leads combustion scores
The Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI achieved three-and-a-half stars and 69%, making it the highest-scoring combustion-engine vehicle tested by Green NCAP to date, according to the organisation.
It finished one percentage point below the four-star threshold, with testers reporting effective exhaust emissions treatment and strong fuel economy across driving conditions, including cold weather.
Green NCAP said the rating also applies to related versions of the Audi A3, SEAT Leon and Škoda Octavia.
Dr Aleksandar Damyanov, technical manager at Green NCAP, said: “Going from generic LCA assumptions to verified manufacturer data allows the sustainability assessments to become even more accurate and to award those manufacturers, who invested in effective measures to notably reduce the climate impact of their products.”
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