This text was not translated, because it is originally in English
When youre in a crash, the last thing you care about is whether your car is saving the planet. Yet according to recent crash tests conducted in Europe, you dont have to sacrifice safety when driving an eco-friendly electric car.

Euro NCAP has conducted its first crash test of an electric plug-in vehicle, the jellybean-shaped Mitsubishi i-MiEV. The electric-powered 5-door hatchback received a four star rating out of a maximum of five. The i-MiEV is also sold in Europe as the Citroen C-Zero and Peugeot iOn.

A slightly larger version of the i-MiEV will be sold here in the U. S. starting later this year. Powered by an electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack, the U. S. -spec version (know as the i) will have a driving range between 70-100 miles. The price is likely to start around $30,000, before factoring in federal and state incentives.

We recognize the efforts done by Mitsubishi to demonstrate that plug-in battery powered cars can be as safe as others. It shows that a future 5 star accolade for EVs is not unthinkable, said Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAPs Secretary General.

According to Euro NCAP, all tests of plug-in EVs are done with live batteries and the cars are exposed to the same test conditions as any other vehicle. Extra attention is paid to post-crash battery integrity and proper functioning of the battery cut-off switch following a crash.