The final round of crash tests in 2022 from NCAP Latin included Chinese vehicles touted as “environmentally friendly but risking lives”. If the JAC E10x (aka EJS1 and E-S1) doesn’t ring any bells, it’s an all-electric hatchback sold by Sehol, the car brand launched in 2018 by a joint venture between SEAT and JAC Volkswagen Automotive. The EV was launched last year and has now been evaluated in the New Car Assessment Program for Latin America.
While this isn’t the first electric car to receive a zero-star rating, NCAP Latin points out that the JAC did not automatically cut off power after impact in a frontal crash test. Equally worrisome is the result of subsequent side impact as the emergency disconnect still fails. As a result, the EV battery remains connected and running, even if the system indicates it is off.
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To make matters worse, excessive tire wear during an evaluation of the car’s electronic stability control prompted NCAP Latin to discontinue testing. Worth pointing out is the fact that there are still cars with only two airbags in this day and age. Also, ESC is just an optional feature while other safety systems that we usually take for granted are not offered at all. This includes autonomous emergency braking, lane assist and speed assist.
The JAC E10x is tested for front impact, side impact, whiplash and pedestrian protection. The score was 0.00 percent for Adult Occupants, 6.34 percent for Child Occupants, 20.25 percent for Pedestrian Protection and Vulnerable Road Users, and 6.98 percent for Safety Assist. Latin NCAP notes: “The model exhibits an unstable structure and an unstable footwell area in a frontal impact with poor protection of the driver’s chest, implying a high probability of a life-threatening injury leading to zero points in a frontal crash for adult safety.”
In related news, NCAP Latin also tested the Kia Sportage and Mitsubishi Outlander, both of which fared much better as the former received three stars while the latter earned a full five star rating.
