- The ADAC deems only one model as "exceptionally excellent": here are the top-notch electric vehicles they commend.
The Automobile Club of Germany, significantly known as ADAC, conducts vehicle assessments year-round. This organization consistently releases the findings, categorized by vehicle category, offering a concise glimpse into the models esteemed best in their respective categories according to their established criteria. Following testing approval, vehicles are allocated three ranking scores: overall result and individual scores for cost and the evaluated cost-effectiveness.
Automobiles undergo comprehensive inspections for drive performance, safety features, practicality, cargo capacity, and numerous other specifications. For electric vehicles, factors such as range and charging speed assume considerable importance. The club continually publishes the results, with the latest electric vehicle data table update transpiring towards the end of August.
A significant event occurred in May – for the first time, a vehicle obtained an outstanding overall score of "excellent." The Volkswagen ID.7 Pro obtained a 1.5 from the testers.
Top Electric Vehicles in Their Classifications
Although other manufacturers also excel, in the city car category, the Fiat 500e La Prima, complete with a 42-kilowatt-hour battery, currently sits atop the list. The vehicle garnered a score of 2.4 due to its commendable drive, effective handling, and commendable environmental attributes. Negative impacts, predictably, largely stem from payload and space considerations.
Contrastingly, in the compact car category, the Hyundai Kona Electric, powered by a 65.4 kWh battery and Prime package, leads the chart. The car received a flawless 2 in the test, indicating shortcomings primarily in interior materials and cost – the vehicle currently retails for 45,340 euros.
The lower midsize category sees Volvo prevail with the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric Single Motor Extended Range Ultimate. The vehicle scored 1.7, commending its comprehensive range of features, high safety standards, robust performance, and commendable drive.
In the luxury class, Porsche and Mercedes share the top spot, both amassing a 1.6 score, with the Taycan Performance Plus and EQS 450+, respectively. The exorbitant prices of both models could have impeded the perfect score – both surpass the 100,000 euro threshold.
The Rise of Eastern Manufacturers and Tesla's Struggle
Regarding Eastern manufacturers, ADAC observes: "Although no such model has yet reached the pinnacle, electric vehicles from Chinese production have now ascended beyond passable ratings in the ADAC test. Illustrative examples include Nio with the technologically advanced models ET5, ET7, and EL6 and EL7, as well as the Xpeng G9."
ADAC anticipates "the contest for the peak positions and market share to further escalate." This predication could possibly impact Tesla. At present, the Tesla Model 3 in the midsize category and the Model Y both claim a 2, maintaining a moderate position in the ranking. The luxury models S and X do not show up in the charts. If Tesla fails to innovate swiftly, competitors will launch more models that will increasingly challenge the prominent vehicles from Musk's stable.
The ADAC's assessment revealed that electric vehicles from Chinese manufacturers, such as Nio's ET5, ET7, and EL6/EL7, have improved significantly and now surpass mediocre ratings. In the midsize category, the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y both earned a score of 2, maintaining a moderate position in the rankings.
Despite strong performances, the Tesla Model S and X do not appear in the charts, indicating a need for innovation to keep up with the rising competition from other manufacturers.
