'Outstanding' new electric SUV achieves record-breaking safety score: 'We've raised the bar for ourselves'
The European New Car Assessment Programme is an independent nonprofit organization that tests and rates automobiles on a five-star safety system. And Lynk & Co.'s 02, a fully electric compact SUV with a 200-kilowatt engine, clinched the spot as the safest vehicle in its class in 2025.
"With outstanding results across all assessment categories — including the highest-ever recorded rating of 89% for Safety Assistance — the 02 is setting a new safety benchmark in its segment," CleanTechnica stated.
The vehicle also achieved "outstanding" scores in Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, and Vulnerable Road User Protection.
"Safety has always been a core pillar of our product strategy, and with the Lynk & Co. 02, we've raised the bar for ourselves — and for the entire segment," vice president of product and strategy David Green said in a news release. "This recognition reinforces our commitment to building vehicles that are not only innovative and sustainable but also among the safest on the road."
Another often overlooked aspect of vehicular safety is air pollution, both inside and outside of the car — but it's one category wherein all electric vehicle models excel. That's because these vehicles don't burn oil for fuel, so they don't release the polluting gases that have been linked with severe health impacts and global heating.
To put it in perspective, one MIT study found that diesel-burning cars emit nearly twice as much pollution per mile over their lifetimes than EVs — a difference of 350 grams of carbon dioxide per mile to 200.
In addition to improved health and safety, many drivers are choosing to upgrade to EVs for the ease of ownership and lower costs. Since EVs don't have engines, they need far less expensive maintenance over their lifetimes. And obviously, they have no associated gasoline costs.
Making the switch is a particularly savvy move for those with home solar panels, as charging a car with solar power brings both car and energy costs down to near zero. If you're interested in getting a quote from a vetted local installer, the free tools at EnergySage are a great place to start — using them helps the average person save up to $10,000 on a solar installation.
Would you be more likely to get an EV if it came with a free home charger?
Definitely
Depends what the car costs
Depends how fast it charges
Not really
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bloomberg
2 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
Vibe Coding Startup Lovable Wants to Hit $1 Billion In Annualized Sales Next Year
Lovable, a Swedish artificial intelligence startup, made a big splash in July when it called itself the 'fastest-growing startup' in the world. Its chief executive says that isn't stopping. 'We're still now growing even faster,' Anton Osika, Lovable's co-founder and CEO, told Bloomberg TV on Thursday.
Forbes
2 minutes ago
- Forbes
The ROI Of Values: How Purpose-Led Companies Are Winning Right Now
Nick Leighton. Best-selling author, speaker #ChampagneMoment As a coach and agency owner, I've seen firsthand how value-driven positioning reshapes business outcomes. Today, leading with purpose isn't a branding gimmick—it's a core growth strategy. Companies that intentionally align their operations, talent strategy and communications around shared values not only resonate more deeply with stakeholders but also consistently outperform their competitors. For example, a mid-sized digital marketing agency we work with reworked its positioning to highlight ethical marketing practices and pro-bono work for nonprofits. Their website conversion rate increased by 24%, and they won two new long-term clients who specifically referenced these values during onboarding. Operating a purpose-led and value-centric business is no longer a 'nice to have.' With numerous options available, businesses that focus on truly purpose-led business models will significantly outperform their competitors in terms of customer retention, talent acquisition and securing crucial capital injections. It's up to leaders to promote and embrace a strategic vision that is centered around ethics, values and purpose that people can get behind. What once was an optional 'feel good' approach is now a foundational requirement to boosting brand loyalty, attracting industry-best talent and delivering superior financial results. The evidence is mounting that companies integrating purpose into their DNA are not just surviving, but thriving. While there are many benefits to this approach, its success stems from three critical categories: talent, brand reputation and resilience. 1. Purpose And Meaning Attract The Best Talent Over half of today's workforce is composed of members from the Gen-Z and Millennial generations. These groups are increasingly prioritizing meaning over mere monetary compensation. They understand that work is a necessity, but they seek to align that necessity with their personal values. These generations aren't just looking for a job; they're looking for a mission. Companies that have a strong, clearly articulated company culture rooted in shared values are a powerful magnet for top-tier talent. When employees resonate with their organization's purpose, it naturally boosts employee engagement, fosters loyalty and can significantly reduce costly turnover. A great example of this is the outdoor clothing company, Patagonia. Their unwavering commitment to environmental activism and ethical sourcing is deeply embedded in their operations, authentically attracting talent that is passionate about these causes. Business leaders can significantly enhance talent attraction and retention by meticulously incorporating core values into all operational processes they oversee, including hiring, performance management and decision-making. To make this effective, leaders must authentically set an example for these values themselves. It's critical to consistently reemphasize these values and celebrate team members who embrace these principles. 2. Building Unbreakable Brand Equity And Customer Loyalty In a hyper-competitive economy, where hundreds, if not thousands, of brands compete for attention, differentiation is paramount. One of the most powerful ways to stand out is by building a brand synonymous with ethical practices and unwavering trust. Since consumers today are savvier and more connected than ever, companies must deliver on transparency and accountability. Research consistently indicates that consumers prefer and are willing to pay a premium for brands with clear social or environmental commitments. For instance, a 2023 Accenture study found that 62% of consumers want companies to stand for something beyond their products or services and that those companies are more likely to earn their repeat business and recommendations. For decades, the ice cream company Ben & Jerry's has built a dedicated, loyal customer base by embracing its strong commitment to social justice and ethical sourcing as key pillars to its brand. The lesson here is that customers buy into the brand's values as much as its product, creating an emotional connection that rivals cannot easily replicate. To cultivate strong customer brand loyalty, leaders should transparently communicate their purpose-driven commitments to consumers and highlight internal changes made to uphold ethics and accountability. Crucially, this communication must be backed by consistent, authentic actions that demonstrate these values, as today's vigilant consumers will see through mere marketing ploys. 3. Enhancing Long-Term Resilience And Mitigating Risk A purpose-led business is inherently more intentional in its efforts to maintain a clean reputation regarding sustainability and social awareness. This proactive approach not only builds invaluable social capital with consumers and stakeholders but simultaneously helps mitigate significant risks associated with poor governance or questionable business practices. The reduction in exposure to fines, penalties, customer distrust and devastating PR nightmares provides a clear ROI. Companies with strong ESG (environmental, social and governance) scores consistently demonstrate superior long-term performance, especially during economic downturns. Their commitment to responsible practices often leads to more robust risk management frameworks, better relationships with regulators and a more stable operating environment. When crises hit, these companies have a deeper reservoir of trust to draw upon, allowing them to weather storms more effectively. Leaders can strengthen compliance and mitigate risk by actively tracking purpose-driven metrics, such as employee engagement and customer sentiment on ethics, environmental goals and social initiatives. In addition, leaders can spearhead efforts to align with recognized standards like B Corp certification or ESG reporting frameworks, establishing verifiable accountability and reducing potential compliance risks. Final Thoughts Embracing a purpose-led business model is no longer optional. This approach is proving to be a winning strategy for companies. Companies that prioritize ethics and values in 2025 and beyond will likely significantly outperform competitors by attracting top talent, building fierce brand loyalty and enhancing long-term resilience. Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
Bloomberg
2 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
Private Equity Funds Traded in London Hint at Hidden 401(k) Risk
Private equity is moving closer to gaining entry into 401(k) accounts, but there's no clear picture of how retail investments in the asset class will fare. The big publicly listed names — Apollo, Blackstone, KKR — tell one story, but in their case, it's about the business of managing funds, not the actual returns inside them. Another perspective comes from one corner of the London Stock Exchange. There, buyout portfolios change hands every day, offering a rare, unvarnished read on private equity's market value. The verdict from a new study: When these assets are exposed to live pricing, they swing harder, trade at deep discounts to their stated value and struggle to match public markets over time.
