Tesla Model Y Earns Five-Star Green NCAP Rating With Record-Low Lifecycle Emissions

Green NCAP has awarded the Tesla Model Y a five-star sustainability rating, following the Model 3's top efficiency result last month. The Berlin-built Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive earned an overall score of 93%, including a perfect 10/10 for greenhouse gas emissions — the lowest lifecycle carbon footprint the organization has published to date.

What Green NCAP measures

Unlike a standard crash or efficiency test, Green NCAP's assessment looks beyond energy consumption while driving. It accounts for the environmental impact of raw materials, vehicle manufacturing, distribution, and operation over the vehicle's full lifetime. Tesla provided detailed vehicle and battery manufacturing data, which Green NCAP independently verified as part of the assessment.

The numbers

Green NCAP calculated the Model Y's lifecycle carbon footprint at 95 grams of CO2 equivalent per kilometre — the lowest figure the organization has published so far. In energy efficiency testing, the Model Y earned 8.9/10, and its Clean Air score came in at 9.0/10. During testing, the electric SUV consumed 14.7 kWh/100 km in warm conditions, increasing to 21.3 kWh/100 km during highway driving.

Green NCAP also praised the Model Y's efficient heat pump and well-insulated cabin, which retained heat effectively even 30 minutes after being powered down at -7°C — a meaningful data point for Canadian winters.

Charging performance

The Model Y completed a 10% to 80% DC fast charging session in 24 minutes during testing. Green NCAP described the Model Y as "a benchmark for electric SUV efficiency," noting the assessment covered the German-built version sold in Europe.

This result adds to a string of recent safety and efficiency recognitions for the Model Y, including Euro NCAP and ANCAP top marks and the first vehicle to pass NHTSA's updated advanced driver assistance system tests. For Canadian buyers weighing sustainability alongside range and charging speed, the Model Y's Green NCAP score is the strongest lifecycle data point available for any electric SUV on sale in North America.

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