Volvo’s FH Aero 2025 and FM 2025 trucks have secured top five-star safety ratings in new tests.
- The Euro NCAP has expanded its testing to include heavy-duty vehicles for the first time.
- Volvo’s models excelled in areas of safe driving, crash avoidance, and post-accident safety.
- In contrast, the Iveco S-WAY 2024 earned just a single star, highlighting safety concerns.
- The new ratings aim to help reduce fatalities and improve safety on European roads.
In a significant development for the trucking industry, Volvo’s FH Aero 2025 and FM 2025 models have been awarded the highest safety rating of five stars by the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP). This marks Euro NCAP’s first foray into testing the safety of heavy-duty trucks, which are recognised for their potential safety risks due to size and weight. These ratings are crucial for indicating safer choices for fleet operators across Europe.
Volvo’s trucks performed exceptionally well in testing criteria that covered safe driving, crash avoidance, and post-crash safety measures. The FH Aero’s design offers excellent visibility, facilitated by its advanced camera systems (CMS) and aerodynamic structure. It was particularly noted for its active safety systems that include automatic braking functions to protect vulnerable road users, making it a well-rounded vehicle for both urban and highway environments.
Similarly, the Volvo FM 2025, which shares some structural attributes with the FH Aero, was noted for its lower cab design that enhances direct vision, together with robust safety assistance systems. The combined effectiveness in collision avoidance and provision for vulnerable road users was acknowledged, earning it a five-star rating along with the CitySafe award for its suitability in city traffic.
Contrasting starkly with Volvo’s triumph is the performance of the Iveco S-WAY 2024, which managed only a one-star rating. This model was assessed using the most recent specification made available to Euro NCAP, despite Iveco’s assertion that it does not represent their latest advancements in line with new regulatory standards. The tested version was found lacking in direct vision and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), which heavily influenced its low rating.
Euro NCAP highlighted the critical role that trucks play in road safety, stating that despite making up a small percentage of vehicles, they are involved in a significant proportion of road fatalities. The introduction of these ratings is aimed at promoting higher safety standards and providing comprehensive information to stakeholders involved in logistics and transport sectors, ultimately striving towards the reduction of accidents and better safety outcomes for both truck occupants and other road users.
The Euro NCAP safety ratings underscore the importance of continued innovation and regulation in enhancing truck safety across Europe.
