Euro NCAP has expanded its evaluations of commercial vehicles, with the Scania L-series becoming the latest truck to earn a five-star safety rating under its Safety Star system, writes Peter Brown.
This achievement is notable given the operational demands of refuse collection vehicles, which routinely navigate dense traffic, interact with vulnerable road users at close range, and operate at low speeds with frequent stops.
The L-series was tested in a 6×2 rigid configuration with a refuse compactor body and a 270 kW electric powertrain, and also received the CitySafe award for exemplary urban safety performance.
Euro NCAP highlighted the L-series’ strong results in both Safe Driving and Collision Avoidance, supported by a robust suite of advanced driver assistance systems tailored for stop-start urban environments.
Features such as geofenced speed control and cyclist dooring alerts were identified as particularly relevant for municipal applications.
The low-entry cab design further enhanced direct driver visibility, while camera-based monitoring systems addressed blind spots typically associated with conventional mirrors.
Additional elements including autonomous emergency braking with nearside cyclist and pedestrian detection, as well as compliant post-crash safety measures, contributed to the maximum rating.
Volvo also continued its strong performance, with the Volvo FH securing five stars and a CitySafe award in both tractor and rigid formats. The FH now joins the FM and FH Aero, positioning Volvo as the only OEM with a full model range capable of achieving the top safety score.
Ford’s F-Max was awarded three stars when assessed in a 4×2 long-haul tractor configuration. While its high beltline limited direct vision, Euro NCAP noted the effectiveness of its camera monitoring system in improving rearward visibility and suggested that further technologies—such as autonomous emergency braking for nearside turning—could enhance future safety performance.
The diesel Iveco S-Way improved from its previous one-star rating to two stars in both tractor and rigid variants. With General Safety Regulation 2 compliance and an enhanced adaptive cruise control system, the model demonstrated progress, though Euro NCAP stated that improvements in vulnerable road user protection are needed to move beyond a predominantly motorway-focused safety profile.
Commenting on the results, Matthew Avery, director of strategic development at Euro NCAP, noted the continuing safety challenges within urban environments, saying that while trucks remain indispensable to daily operations, enhanced safety standards provide measurable benefits for drivers, fleet operators, and the public.
