In its second test of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), Euro NCAP found that improvements made to the design and safety equipment of the Mercedes-Benz Actros since it was first tested in 2024 meant it achieved a maximum five-star rating.
The Actros model joins the Volvo FM and FH Aero models in holding a five-star rating.
During Euro NCAP’s testing of HGVs, 10 trucks were assessed, and eight were awarded a CitySafe rating.
The designation is applied to HGVs that are equipped to tackle the challenges and hazards of driving in urban environments.
Because of their size and weight, HGV crashes are the most severe on European roads.
Although trucks account for less than 3% of vehicles on Europe’s roads, they are responsible for 15% of accident fatalities.
Furthermore, 11% of casualties in accidents involving HGVs are truck occupants, the rest are car and van occupants, as well as pedestrians and cyclists.
However, HGVs distribute 95% of goods consumed across the EU. Euro NCAP’s SAFER TRUCKS campaign aims to support this transport sector while ensuring trucks get safer.
Euro NCAP said the SAFER TRUCKS testing programme was the first of its testing protocols to adopt a new framework, called Euro NCAP’s Stages of Safety, that measures vehicle safety across the lifecycle of an accident: Safe Driving, Crash Avoidance, and Post Crash Safety.
As well as giving each truck a rating out of five stars, it included an additional CitySafe accreditation.
Independent assessment of the safety of the HGV fleet is intended for stakeholders who rely on the haulage sector to select the safest trucks that meet their commercial requirements.
The 10 trucks tested by Euro NCAP represented around 95% of the models available in the long-haul fleet-rigid truck category.
Rigid lorries are single-unit vehicles where the cab and cargo area are fixed together, however, they are versatile enough to pull trailers, allowing them to run at identical weights to articulated combinations.
Euro NCAP rated the most common version in 6×2 form without a trailer with all optional safety equipment fitted.
Five other Tractor Units were also reassessed and, where applicable, replaced the existing 2024 results.
Scania, Renault, and Mercedes-Benz Long Haul Tractors have all improved scores in line with the rigid results, showing that these safety systems are available regardless of vehicle specification.
Each truck was scored across three categories – Safe Driving, Crash Avoidance, and Post Crash Safety.
Safe Driving is designed for occupant monitoring, driver engagement, visibility out of the truck, and vehicle assistance.
Crash Avoidance assesses how well the various advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) perform at avoiding collisions in a range of scenarios.
Post Crash Safety considers the rescue information shared with responders and the ease of extrication.
The results for the Mercedes-Benz Actros models came after the company declined to take part in Euro NCAP’s inaugural test of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in 2024. For 2025 testing, it submitted three Actros models of differing cab heights.
With improvements made to the safety equipment fitted and system performance, the latest and lowest cab Mercedes-Benz Actros was awarded five stars by Euro NCAP, an increase from its previous three-star rating.
Two other models in the Actros range, the Actros F and the Actros L ProCabin, with taller cabs, were awarded four stars due to inferior driver vision.
However, all three were awarded the CitySafe label, which Euro NCAP said is message to fleet buyers and operators that the Mercedes-Benz Actros range can be a safe choice for city operations when specified with the correct safety options.
Volvo – last year’s best-performing manufacturer and first five-star truck vehicle – is another option for HGV fleet operators who value the benefits a safer truck can bring, according to Euro NCAP.
The Swedish manufacturer’s FM and FH Aero maintain their five-star rating and CitySafe designation.
Renault’s T model now comes with a nearside cyclist detection system that can help prevent serious city crashes with a cyclist falling under a turning truck.
This change earned the four-star Renault T a CitySafe award.
Improvements made by Scania to its R-series lorry took it from three to four stars, while the G-series maintains its four-star rating and continues to hold a CitySafe standard.
DAF maintained its three-star rating and CitySafe designation for its XF truck; however, DAF makes almost all its safety equipment a standard fit, only charging for a high-performing corner camera.
MAN, the German truck company, declined to take part, but Euro NCAP sourced a TGX model from the market for assessment.
It was awarded three stars, but was not rated for the CitySafe award due to inferior driver vision.
Testing in 2028 aims to encourage truck manufacturers to improve their safety systems even further and to more closely reflect where typical passenger car safety technologies are today.
Future tests under development by Euro NCAP will expand into crash testing, putting a focus on passive protection, to limit the risk of car occupant fatalities in the case of frontal impact with an HGV.
Matthew Avery, director of strategic development at Euro NCAP, said: “This is only the second year of Euro NCAP’s Truck Rating, but already we have seen meaningful improvements made by some of the best-known names on the side of a cab.
“Mercedes-Benz has responded positively to our 2024 tests, making meaningful improvements to its Actros range of trucks, which makes them a safer choice for fleet operators.
“Renault and Scania also deserve praise for continuing to improve the safety of their vehicles.
“But there is still a long road ahead to reduce the disproportionate impact trucks have on serious and fatal accident rates.
“This is why Euro NCAP will continue to develop its testing protocols to give operators and fleet buyers the best information to protect their drivers, their reputational risk, and their bottom line.
“As we know, the safest truck is also the most cost-effective one.”
