Testing for safety has to evolve, finds forum

Advancements in new energy vehicles and intelligent driving technologies are boosting vehicle performance in the auto industry, yet persistent concerns underscore the need for a higher standard evaluation system to meet growing safety demands, experts noted at a forum last week.

Despite a decade-long plan by the World Health Organization to halve road traffic fatalities during 2020-30, advancements in auto technologies only led to a 5 percent reduction in the past few years, presenting a challenge in meeting the target.

Liu Anmin, general manager of the China Automotive Engineering Research Institute, said China's vehicle evaluation system is evolving in collaboration with Chinese automakers, Euro New Car Assessment Program and global peers including the Latin NCAP.

Tracking international advancements and strengthening cooperation will transform safety standards' technical language into a "universal code" for industrial progress, Liu said at the CAERI Automotive Index International Forum in Chongqing on Tuesday.

To enhance the assessment of smart connected vehicles, CAERI has introduced China-specific test scenarios. These include evaluations such as autonomous emergency braking in rainy conditions and extreme cold-weather assessments.

The institute also developed assessments for connected vehicle cybersecurity and privacy protection while designing advanced tools, including precise positioning systems and a globally certified artificial intelligence simulation tool chain.

CAERI published the first batch of 2025 IVISTA China Intelligent Vehicle Index Assessment Results at the forum. Standout models include the BYD Song L EV, Volvo EX30 and Wey Blue Mountain SUV, excelling in intelligent safety, parking, driving and interaction aspects.

Liu said that overcoming technological bottlenecks and establishing a robust auto industry ecosystem through high-level international exchanges and cooperation is crucial to drive high-quality industry development.

CAERI and Euro NCAP initiated their cooperation as early as 2011, and CAERI became the first Chinese laboratory accredited by Euro NCAP in 2019. For more than five years, CAERI, in association with European laboratories such as UTAC, has participated in testing passenger cars according to the Euro NCAP's passive safety protocols. This has led to successful ratings for Chinese vehicles in the European market.

"Today, CAERI and Euro NCAP are expanding their fruitful collaboration in safety to address environmental challenges," said Celine Vallaude, president of the Euro NCAP's board of directors.

"By launching the Green NCAP and China Automotive Health Index Joint Research Project, we are not only taking a significant step in the collaboration of our two organizations, but we are joining efforts to tackle an environmental global concern that greatly benefits from collaborative efforts among stakeholders," she added.

Zhao Hui, chief expert of automotive index at CAERI, emphasized three critical focus areas for international collaboration in vehicle assessment: integrating global advancements while incorporating China-specific scenarios; updating standards alongside emerging testing technologies and safety trends; and ensuring criteria remain responsive to evolving consumer demands.