Organized annually by AUTOBEST, the ECOBEST Challenge provides an independent assessment of mainstream EVs under real traffic conditions, revealing their true green credentials beyond official figures. As the original European independent real-traffic test of its kind, it remains unique through its transparent, neutral and balanced approach. The initiative is designed to offer clear and reliable information about EVs while increasing public awareness of the benefits of transitioning towards more environmentally friendly motoring.
The ECOBEST Challenge 2026 will take place from September 28th to 30th, 2026, in Vairano, Italy.
Now in its 7th edition, the ECOBEST Challenge 2026 once again demonstrates AUTOBEST’s strong and continued commitment to assessing and showcasing the genuine green credentials of mainstream electric vehicles.
As the first independent European test of its kind conducted in real-world traffic conditions, the ECOBEST Challenge reflects AUTOBEST’s commitment to delivering transparent, credible and relevant information to the 665 million car users across Europe that the organization serves.
For the fourth consecutive year, the 2026 edition of the ECOBEST Challenge has been certified by leading French certification experts Bureau Veritas. This certification provides global recognition of the genuine, comprehensive, consistent and innovative methodology used to test electric vehicles (EVs) in real traffic conditions and to evaluate their green credentials in an unbiased manner.
Bureau Veritas first certified the ECOBEST Challenge in 2023, following a highly detailed analysis of its testing methodology. The methodology itself had been refined over many years of evaluating the green credentials of electric vehicles, based on assessment criteria pioneered by the AUTOBEST organization.
The continued Bureau Veritas certification further strengthens the credibility of ECOBEST Challenge as an independent assessment of electric vehicles and reinforces its commitment to delivering reliable real-life data under the principles of “real traffic, real life, real green”.
This year, Italian car bible Quattroruote once again supports the ECOBEST Challenge as its technical partner, marking the fourth year of this successful partnership.
The 2026 ECOBEST Challenge introduces a technical premiere in collaboration with ZEEKR, marking the first time Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology is featured within the event. As part of this collaboration, a ZEEKR vehicle will operate as the Challenge’s dedicated V2L ‘energy mobile support,’ demonstrating how an electric vehicle can function as a mobile power source. This marks the first application of V2L technology in the history of the ECOBEST Challenge, offering a practical showcase of its versatility and real-world potential – extending the role of an EV beyond mobility and proving how stored energy can be accessed whenever and wherever it’s needed.
From September 28th – 30th, the seventh edition of the ECOBEST Challenge 2026 will see 15 leading electric vehicles from renowned manufacturers tested:
- Audi Q4
- BMW iX3
- Citroën e-C5 Aircross
- BYD Atto 2
- Kia EV2
- Leapmotor B10
- Mazda6e
- Mercedes CLA 250+
- Opel Grandland
- Renault Twingo
- Tesla Model Y
- Volvo EX60
- Xpeng P7+
- Zeekr 7GT
- Peugeot 5008
The ECOBEST Challenge rules allow only popular EVs to be tested. They must have a standard basic price of 65,000 Euros, before any tax or any state support for green cars.
Key international media are invited to test-drive vehicles across a mixed variety of roads, from motorways to urban settings, in the Vairano region. This guarantees that outcomes are supported by unparalleled transparency and unwavering reliability.
Testing will occur on diverse terrain and traffic conditions to ensure the most accurate and realistic test results. ‘Normal’ mode will be used on roads and motorways, and ‘Eco’ mode while running in the city. Every model will be driven until full battery depletion.
Coming from different countries across Europe, they fulfil the AUTOBEST proprietary concept ‘human random factor’, which is coming very close to the ideal average European motorist. They will be encouraged to apply their typical real-life driving styles and to use onboard technologies, such as the air-con, sound systems, navigation systems, and other connected technologies. Drivers will rotate cars every 25 kilometers to prevent driving style bias. By incorporating different real-life driving conditions while continuously rotating drivers between vehicles, the “human random factor” further enhances the accuracy and real-world relevance of the ECOBEST Challenge results.
Once again, AUTOBEST Jury members from across Europe will gather for the ECOBEST Challenge and take part as test drivers. This year, the participating Jury members are from Romania, Spain, United Kingdom, Turkey, Finland, Italy, Republic of North Macedonia, Netherlands, Cyprus, Hungary, Greece, Lithuania, Portugal and Malta.
`At AUTOBEST we are continuing our successful project with new 15 Ev’s to be tested under `real life, real traffic , true data ‘strategy. ECOBEST Challenge, sanctioned by Bureau Veritas for the consistent unbiased methodology of testing, continues to be the only European project of this kind. The only objective source of EV real life green credentials, in the setvice of all European car users. ` – said Dan Vardie, Founder & Chairman of AUTOBEST and the creator of ECOBEST Challenge.
The specifications of electric cars provide increasingly impressive figures, but they become truly meaningful when verified in a real-world context. This is the purpose of the ECOBEST Challenge 2026: to measure performance and efficiency according to a common methodology, allowing reliable comparisons between technologies and models. Range remains important, but consumption, charging speed and overall efficiency are equally relevant. At Quattroruote, accurate and transparent testing is essential to help motorists understand a rapidly changing automotive landscape. Our cooperation with AUTOBEST reflects this shared commitment to independent information and technical credibility. – Alessio Viola, Editor in Chief of Quattroruote and AUTOBEST Jury Vice President, in charge of the ECOBEST Challenge project.
The results of the measurements, and the proprietary ECOBEST Challenge 2026 indexes, will be announced in an online press conference following the event.
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About AUTOBEST
The AUTOBEST organization was created in 2001 with the revolutionary concept of finding the ‘Best Buy Car’ available on the European market.
The AUTOBEST jury members represent 32+1 European countries (Russia remains suspended for the time being), making it the largest independent motoring jury in Europe – and in the world, by the number of represented countries. The AUTOBEST jury pays close attention to the automotive industry’s efforts. Investments, new automotive job opportunities, funds for green cars and technologies, the support for different regions of Europe and more are all carefully checked by the jury. New in-car technologies and connectivity are also increasingly under scrutiny by the expert jury of motoring professionals.
Contact: pr@autobest.org
