ANCAP looking to crash-test full-size utes and motorcycles

There could be some major changes coming to the way new vehicles are independently crash tested in coming years, with ANCAP floating a possible expansion into include full-size pick-up trucks and even motorcycles in its local vehicle safety testing assessments, plus a comprehensive shake-up of the assessment fields.

Fresh from detailing the tougher new testing protocols it will implement in 2023, the independent crash-testing body has released its ‘Future View on Testing & Assessment 2030’ report, which outlines a raft of proposed changes developed in collaboration with Euro NCAP.

For starters, as of 2026, the four overarching test fields will be rejigged from the familiar adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, vulnerable road user protection and safety assist to ‘safe driving’, ‘crash avoidance’, ‘crash protection’ and ‘post-crash safety’.

ANCAP says the new regime will more accurately categorise individual tests in relation to the increasing prevalence of assisted and automated technologies, with a clear transition in focus from crash mitigation to crash avoidance.

All of the existing tests will be refined and made increasingly accurate/realistic, while a vast array of new simulations are being developed in preparation for emerging assisted and automated driving technology in accordance with the new fields.

As alluded to above, ANCAP plans to include the increasing array of full-size US-built pick-up trucks like the RAM 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado within its future safety assessments as the segment continues to grow in both Australia and New Zealand.

“These vehicles have not been captured within ANCAP’s traditional test program despite them closely competing with other rated [mid-size] dual cab utilities,” the report reads.

“There is also anecdotal evidence suggesting some mainstream manufacturers are con dent to introduce new models into this segment as ANCAP’s current traditional test program scope would see them ‘untouched’ from a star rating perspective, and hence not present as a negative to prospective fleet buyers and consumers.

“Manufacturers may see an opportunity for market growth through this segment as they are very close competitors to light commercial dual cab utes that are covered by ANCAP’s star rating scope.

“Given the rising popularity of this type of vehicle in Australia and New Zealand, their general use as ‘everyday’ and recreational vehicles driven by families and/or tradespeople in both metropolitan and regional areas, their greater physical size and mass, their untested ‘risk’ to other vehicles and road users, their high purchase price and the arrival of additional peer vehicles within this category over the next 12-24 months, there is a compelling case for ANCAP to examine the comparable safety of these vehicles.”

Commercial vans will continue to be a focal point of future ANCAP test protocols, while the potential assessment of the active safety capabilities of motorcycles, mopeds and heavy goods vehicles are also being explored both here and in Europe.

“The release of the 2030 future view establishes the key testing and assessment focus areas for the industry – both for our existing automotive industry stakeholders, and for a new cohort of industry stakeholders that have not previously engaged in the NCAP process,” ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg said.

“The move to explore assessment of medium and heavy trucks is a notable shift and seeks to address the overrepresentation of these vehicles in road fatalities and serious injuries.

“For our existing star rating program, the evolutionary shift in our assessment pillars acknowledges the important role assisted and automated technologies will play in reducing road-related fatalities and serious injuries among light passenger vehicles.”

The full ANCAP Future View on Testing & Assessment 2030 report can be found here.

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