THE all-electric BYD Atto 3 has achieved the top rating in the latest Green NCAP round of testing.

The Atto 3, which debuted in Europe in 2022, performed to a high standard throughout the test process, illustrating its energy efficiency.

Green NCAP is an independent body which promotes the development of cars which are clean, energy-efficient, and cause as little harm to the environment as possible.

It aims to improve the quality of the air, minimise the use of resources used for passenger transportation and to reduce global warming.

In awarding the Atto 3 a maximum five star rating, the car was assessed by Green NCAP engineers in a variety of test categories - low consumption and efficiency in cold and warm laboratory tests, a highway cycle and on-road tests.

According to the Green NCAP engineers the Atto 3 achieved a perfect score of 10 points in the Clean Air section of the assessment.

It also demonstrated low consumption in both cold and warm laboratory tests with a rate of 18.0 kWh/100 km.

Green NCAP said the Atto 3 also had "unexpectedly low energy demands in the -7C cold ambient test, the result of the advanced heating concept utilising different sources of powertrain waste heat".

As the BYD Atto 3 is purely electric, its greenhouse emissions originate only from electricity supply -around 50-80 g CO2/km depending on its test consumption. Thanks to its efficient powertrain and heating concept and the relatively low CO2 emmisions of the electricity mix, the car scored a high 9.7 out of 10.0.

"Overall, the BYD Atto 3 easily collects all 5 Green Stars and challenges the popular EV brands in the European markets", said Green NCAP in its assessment report.

The Atto 3 is available in three trims, Active, Comfort and Design with prices ranging from £36,490 to £38,900.