Renault Zoe ZE50 - Is It Safe?

[@T8RTU]

Another well researched article about the importance of changes in testing over time. Thanks again for the work you have done in making these videos, I have posted a link to your channel to the Renault Zoe owner’s group Facebook page for the benefit of owners who I believe will benefit from seeing your channel. 👍

[@theelectrictransition]

Thanks very much, I really appreciate that. I have seen Facebook appear as a significant source of traffic to the channel in recent weeks, so those of you who post and share on Facebook are helping immensely.

[@martinbickle9836]

Interesting video….. I currently have a 2016 Zoe and have been put off upgrading to a ze50 because of the ncap rating but your findings show it’s not a unsafe car and having the extra safety avoidance features is a better outcome. Makes me reconsider a ze50 again especially the ionic or gt line model. Thanks for your great research.

[@theelectrictransition]

You are welcome; I am glad to hear it might have allayed your fears somewhat.

[@rhiantaylor3446]

NCAP used to test actual crash damage on occupants and pedestrians which was a useful resource. As you mention, they later went on to focus on "active safety" features which are a different matter, arguably an area of personal choice which is why you will often see switches to optionally disable some "safety" features.The Zoe case was the reason I stopped looking at NCP scores as a useful measure. I have seen people indicate that they couldn't buy a Zoe because they carry children in their car yet few cars at this price point would have rear airbags anyway and the issue here was front airbags. I have seen it reported that airbags were first introduced to protect drivers who chose not to use their seatbelts. I always wear them and would prefer not to have explosive devices in my car. The Takata airbag issue pointed out that "airbag safety" could be a double edged sword.

[@theelectrictransition]

I do have a bit of a concern that Euro NCAP might be getting a bit too specific now. I understand that the reason all of the latest cars have suddenly changed to turning on all active safety features each time the cars start is a Euro NCAP thing. I take your point about airbags, although I am happy to have them, personally. It seems that airbag systems are very advanced now, and adjust their behaviour to suit the conditions, including whether the occupant is wearing a seatbelt or not, how heavy they are and various parameters of the incident itself.

[@decimal1815]

Interesting perspective.

[@theelectrictransition]

Thanks. Hopefully, I've managed to get to the bottom of it better than some other commentators. I think some people said that an airbag was removed, but I don't think that is true; it's just a smaller airbag

[@decimal1815]

What active safety features are installed in your ze50 and how useful are they in practice? Thanks

[@theelectrictransition]

I think it mainly falls under the banner of active emergency braking, and uses inputs from both the radar and camera. It's looking for stationary vehicles and vulnerable road users as a part of that. I've occasionally had it go nuts at me thinking that we are going to collide with something. Sometimes I could see why it might think that - a pedestrian who was on the pavement but on a bend, for example. However, once or twice I have no idea why it went off. gb.e-guide.renault.com/eng/Zoe-ph2/ACTIVE-EMERGENCY-BRAKING As with all safety features, it's hard to say how good they really are until you're in an emergency situation. Luckily, the emergency braking hasn't been needed yet. I am not sure if all cars were fitted with lane keep assist/lane departure warning. LDW is well worth having, in my opinion, if it is an option. It's subtle enough that it remains turned on, and is helpful. My car also has sign recognition including speed signs, but I think all models probably got that, as the speed-related element of that became a legislative requirement across Europe in 2022. Blind spot warning might have been an option. Some of the ultrasonic sensors were optional - I think front might be optional, with rear fitted as standard? I'm happy to have all of that. I think the car saved me in bad weather a month or so ago. I hit a huge, deep puddle in the pouring rain at night and the car was pulled hard left. I suspect the stability control kicked in to correct it, as the way the car recovered felt unnatural. However, that's not because of any options - I think all models probably have the same stability control.

[@decimal1815]

@@theelectrictransition thanks for the detailed reply. I've been worried about emergency braking in cars as there are reports about phantom braking incidents. Not just an EV issue though of course. Traction and stability control systems seem like a great benefit of modern cars though. Blind spot warnings too. Warnings that don't take control of the vehicle, in other words.

[@theelectrictransition]

Yes, that makes sense. Whilst my car has alerted about a dozen times, it's never actually braked. The alerts were short enough that it didn't try to take control, I assume. Having said that, I am aware that automated cars will be safer than us imperfect humans, at some point, so I'm not totally against progress in that direction when it is measurably safer (by more than just a little bit, probably)

[@decimal1815]

@@theelectrictransition it will be fine when all cars are automated. The problem is the human driver behind who can't stop in time when your car brakes suddenly at high speed!

[@theelectrictransition]

Yeah, could be. Transitions are ... messy

[@SimonHollandfilms]

we have a ze50 and bought it in part because zoes seemed to have 5 stars...certainly the dealer said it had 5 stars. renault not fitting safety equipment to their base zoe was terrible...no other car manufacturer stooped that low. the LAB tests renault used were for early small battery zoes...used in cities. the ze50 is a long distance car....a car that might go through a forest! mine does everyday . so renault claiming no zoe had hit a tree side on....is not valid...the ze50 is very capable of hitting trees at high speed....and just to P me off ...my ze50 has a tag on the seats...airbag fitted. but there are NO airbags ....recal the cars and fit the F@##ing airbags.

[@theelectrictransition]

I feel your pain, absolutely. The good news is that Renault didn't remove anything. There are as many airbags as there ever were. The bad news is that the airbags in the ZE50 are a different shape, and so don't offer the head protection of the airbags in the previous models. Sigh

[@ngbc5342]

very incisive and revealing review, just add a bit of humour ?

[@theelectrictransition]

Yes, a good point, thanks. I'll try to remember to do that. As it happens, you do at least get a smile in this one, where I discuss the irony of the speed at which cars fall down the NCAP safety ratings and what that might mean for EVs.

[@decimal1815]

"side-impact - boom boom!" ;)