Electric car manufacturer Tesla has announced that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has awarded the Model X a 5-star safety rating in every category and sub-category. Following independent tests, the Model X has become the first SUV ever to get the 5-star rating across the board.

Tesla says, “The data from NHTSA’s testing shows that Model X has the lowest probability of injury of any SUV it has ever tested. In fact, of all the cars NHTSA has ever tested, Model X’s overall probability of injury was second only to Model S.

“Model X performs so much better in a crash than gas-powered SUVs because of its all-electric architecture and powertrain design. The rigid, fortified battery pack that powers Model X is mounted beneath the floor of the vehicle creating a center of gravity so low that Model X has the lowest rollover probability of any SUV on the road. No other SUV has ever come close to meeting and exceeding this rollover requirement.

“NHTSA’s tests assess both the structure of the vehicle, which must minimise intrusion into the cabin and absorb as much energy as possible, and also the seatbelt and airbag restraint system, which must maximise injury mitigation in the event of a crash. Among the nine subcategories rated by NHTSA, including frontal impact, side impact, and pole impact tests conducted on both the driver and passenger side as well as the rollover test, Model X achieved 5-stars in every category and sub-category. That means that in the event of a serious crash, Model X occupants have an overall 93 percent probability of walking away without a serious injury – a testament to our commitment to building the safest cars on today’s roads.”