Interview with Alba Garbí: “From 2025, Green NCAP will incorporate full life-cycle assessment of vehicles, offering a more attractive and distinctive service”

For those of us who aren’t experts, can you explain what Green NCAP is and what its purpose is?

Green NCAP is a non-profit European organization that, since 2019, has been assessing the environmental impact of vehicles. Under the umbrella of Euro NCAP, it comprises state and regional administrations, automobile clubs, and European consumer groups, each represented by a laboratory. Applus+ IDIADA represents the Catalan Government, Generalitat de Catalunya.

In a context where information about vehicle sustainability abounds —sometimes contradictory— Green NCAP aspires to be an independent and neutral reference, especially considering changes in the sector and new technologies available, along with traditional ones. Its goal is to assist consumers in their purchasing decisions and promote greener mobility. This is achieved by evaluating new vehicles marketed in Europe to encourage the introduction of vehicles with less environmental impact, create a competitive market for sustainable products, educate and inform consumers, recognize manufacturers' innovations, and provide recommendations for developing regulations aligned with European policies.

How is the environmental impact of vehicles assessed?

The programme conducts environmental assessments of all types of vehicles (combustion, electric, hybrid, and hydrogen) through an extensive testing programme under conditions that complement homologation tests, and which include a broader operational range. The aspects evaluated are divided into three categories: air quality, energy efficiency, and greenhouse gases. Testing is conducted both in the laboratory and on open roads under varying environmental conditions, from -7°C to +23°C. The results are given as a rating from 0 to 5 stars.

The assessment system is periodically updated to incorporate sector advancements and reward manufacturers who optimize vehicles with excellent performance under all conditions.

This year, you assumed the presidency of the technical working group. What key initiatives do you plan to promote?

The technical working group focuses on discussing and defining procedures, aligning with European Commission strategies and the state of the art. Currently, the Commission and the UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) are working on considering the global greenhouse gas impact of vehicles, beyond just their usage phase.

Starting in 2025, Green NCAP will incorporate full life-cycle assessment of vehicles, covering everything from the extraction of raw materials for production, supply of energy sources, usage, associated maintenance, and end-of-life treatment —which will include recycling. This comprehensive approach, often referred to as “cradle to grave,” will account for pollutant emissions, primary energy demand, and greenhouse gases over a vehicle’s entire lifespan.

In this context, we believe it is crucial to enhance the LCA Tool, which allows users to compare the environmental impact of vehicles, considering factors such as annual mileage and country of use, which play significant roles in life-cycle assessment. National energy mixes and manufacturing countries are substantial factors in the impact of each vehicle being driven.

Simultaneously, we are developing a complementary evaluation to better assess electrified vehicles. This will include relevant consumer parameters such as thermal comfort, electric range, consumption under different driving scenarios, battery charging efficiency, and fast-charging functionalities, among others.

One of the ongoing challenges is achieving greater manufacturer involvement. How will this be accomplished?

To foster greater involvement from manufacturers, Green NCAP is revamping its assessment system, which will take effect in 2025. The current method does not adequately differentiate between vehicles of the same technology, particularly pure electrics. The new rating system, based on life-cycle assessment and incorporating comfort and specific evaluations of electric and electrified vehicles, aims to offer a more attractive and distinctive service. This will enable manufacturers to stand out from their competitors and reward those investing more effort in innovation, sustainability, and design and manufacturing improvements. This ability to provide a return to manufacturers and more added value for consumers will be key.

Manufacturers’ commitment will enable Green NCAP to play a greater role in improving vehicle sustainability for the sake of consumers and our environment. 

Finally, on a more personal note, what has this challenge meant for you?

It’s a highly dynamic environment where I have the opportunity to contribute ideas and work from different perspectives with professionals who possess high technical expertise and in-depth knowledge of the sector. This mix ensures the quality of our work is very high. On a personal and professional level, I’m learning a great deal.

At the same time, it’s a challenge that carries significant responsibility, but the team behind it, especially the NCAP team, makes my job much easier. So, the effort is well worth it.