Euro NCAP’s latest long-haul truck safety round awarded five-star ratings and CitySafe awards to the BYD ETT 44, the updated 2026 Mercedes-Benz Actros F, and Scania’s G- and R-series, while the IVECO S-WAY earned two stars in the regional distribution category. The results, published this week to coincide with the opening of IAA Transportation 2026 in Hannover, Germany, mark the first time a long-haul heavy electric truck has been evaluated under the organization’s truck safety regime. Euro NCAP paired the ratings with a warning to fleet buyers: several five-star results depend on safety equipment sold as options rather than standard fitment.
Highlights
- The BYD ETT 44 4×2 tractor unit scored 89% in Safe Driving and 73% in Crash Avoidance on its first Euro NCAP attempt
- The Mercedes-Benz Actros F rose from four stars to five in both 4×2 tractor and 6×2 rigid form, with 79% Safe Driving and 82% Crash Avoidance
- Scania’s G- and R-series posted 96% in Crash Avoidance with near-full scores in vehicle, pedestrian, and cyclist scenarios
- The IVECO S-WAY 4×2 rigid recorded 20% in Crash Avoidance and 67% in Safe Driving for a two-star result
BYD Enters the Long-Haul Sector at Five Stars
Chinese manufacturer BYD secured the full five-star rating and CitySafe award with the ETT 44 on its first attempt. Euro NCAP tied the truck’s Safe Driving score to direct vision from a low cab mounting height, a lower door vision window, and digital eMirrors using a camera-based monitoring system.
Crash Avoidance was the weaker category. At 73%, the ETT 44 trailed the leading competitors in frontal vehicle-to-vehicle and lane departure collision prevention, which Euro NCAP said indicates that several of BYD’s driver assistance systems require further refinement. The organization described the truck as a benchmark for operators weighing top-tier safety against electric running costs as they consider a transition from diesel.
Actros F Moves Up From Four Stars
The 2026 Actros F, which received four stars in Euro NCAP’s previous long-haul round, now earns the maximum rating and CitySafe award in both configurations tested. Euro NCAP credited upgraded driver assistance technology that performed better in lane departure and cyclist nearside turn scenarios, and characterized the truck as a balanced choice for operators dividing time between urban roads and highways.
Scania Scores High, With a Standard-Fitment Caveat
Scania’s updated G- and R-series delivered near-full scores in active crash avoidance. The G-series recorded 82% Safe Driving and 96% Crash Avoidance; the R-series posted 76% and 96%. Euro NCAP noted, however, that much of the safety equipment enabling those results is optional rather than standard.
The point extends a theme from Euro NCAP’s April round, where the organization drew a similar line between manufacturers fitting driver assistance as standard and those relying on option packages to reach five stars.
IVECO S-WAY Holds at Two Stars
From the regional distribution category, the IVECO S-WAY 4×2 rigid secured only a two-star rating with standard equipment. Euro NCAP cited limited direct vision and a lack of active safety technologies designed to protect pedestrians and cyclists, particularly in urban environments.
Full Results
| Truck model | Category | Configuration | Safe Driving | Crash Avoidance | Post Crash Safety | Stars | CitySafe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BYD ETT 44 (electric) | Long haul | 4×2 tractor unit | 89% | 73% | 80% | 5 | Yes |
| Mercedes-Benz Actros F | Long haul | 4×2 tractor unit | 79% | 82% | 80% | 5 | Yes |
| Mercedes-Benz Actros F | Long haul | 6×2 rigid | 79% | 82% | 80% | 5 | Yes |
| Scania G-series | Long haul | 4×2 tractor unit | 82% | 96% | 80% | 5 | Yes |
| Scania G-series | Long haul | 6×2 rigid | 82% | 96% | 80% | 5 | Yes |
| Scania R-series | Long haul | 4×2 tractor unit | 76% | 96% | 80% | 5 | Yes |
| Scania R-series | Long haul | 6×2 rigid | 76% | 96% | 80% | 5 | Yes |
| IVECO S-WAY | Regional distribution | 4×2 rigid | 67% | 20% | 80% | 2 | No |
What Euro NCAP Told Fleet Operators
Euro NCAP framed the round as independent guidance for operators weighing total cost of ownership, operational efficiency, and safety across their future fleets, and urged buyers to compare standard specifications carefully rather than assume five-star protection comes with the base vehicle.
“Euro NCAP welcomes BYD as a new challenger to the European heavy vehicle market. This long-haul electric truck will cause a stir, with a strong focus on safety and a five-star rating. We look forward to working with BYD on further developing the company’s safety strategy in commercial vehicles,” said Matthew Avery, Director of Strategic Development at Euro NCAP.
“Mercedes achieves yet another five-star performance, demonstrating the company’s continued commitment to safety. Euro NCAP applauds the steady improvements made by Scania to safety in their fleet with five-star ratings introduced across even more vehicle sectors. Euro NCAP encourages operators to specify the safety technologies required to ensure the highest levels of protection for all European road users,” Avery added.
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