The Future is Electric, and it’s Safer Than Ever: EVs Dominate 2025 Safety Rankings

For years, the debate around Electric Vehicles (EVs) centered on range anxiety and charging stations. But in 2025, a new narrative has taken the driver’s seat: Safety.

According to the latest safety rankings from ANCAP, electric vehicles aren't just keeping pace with traditional cars—they are setting a blistering new benchmark for protection on Australian and New Zealand roads.

A Clean Sweep for EVs

The results are in, and the podium is crowded with batteries. The Tesla Model Y officially claimed the crown as the safest vehicle tested in 2025, achieving the highest overall score across ANCAP’s rigorous four-pillar testing suite.

However, Tesla wasn't a lone wolf. In a stunning display of industry-wide engineering, six of the top seven highest-rated vehicles were electric.

2025 Safety Elite	Model Type
Tesla Model Y	Electric (Top Scorer)
Tesla Model 3	Electric
Volvo EX90	Electric
MG IM 5	Electric
MG S5 EV	Electric
Mini Cooper E	Electric

Why EVs are Winning the Crash Test

It’s not just about fancy software. The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) points out that the very anatomy of an EV provides a natural safety advantage. Leading manufacturers like Volvo, Polestar, and BYD highlight three "secret weapons" in EV design:

• The "Skateboard" Advantage: By mounting heavy batteries in the floor, EVs have a much lower center of gravity, making them significantly more stable and less prone to rollovers.

• The Protective Shell: Rigid battery platforms are engineered as "safety cells," adding structural integrity to the entire chassis.

• The Missing Engine: Without a massive internal combustion engine or a flammable fuel tank, there is less hardware to intrude into the cabin during a high-impact collision.

  
  

"No Need to Choose"

Aman Gaur, Acting CEO of the Electric Vehicle Council, believes these results mark a turning point for skeptical buyers.

"The case for electric vehicles just keeps getting stronger," Mr. Gaur said. "These results prove Australians don’t have to choose between going green and staying safe. We are seeing top-tier safety achieved across multiple segments—from family SUVs to fleet-ready hatchbacks."

ANCAP’s findings echo this sentiment, noting that the highest-performing cars are those designed with safety as an integrated system rather than just a checklist of features.