Fisker, the American electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has announced that its upcoming Ocean SUV has completed and passed all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) testing required for self-certification by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The vehicle has also achieved a 5-star rating for the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
The tests were conducted by an internationally recognized agency, and Fisker is confident that if the NHTSA selects the Ocean for further testing, it will receive an official 5-star rating.
According to Chairman and CEO Henrik Fisker, the company engineered the Ocean’s structure to achieve a 5-star crash rating in accordance with NCAP standards. Fisker is now awaiting the NHTSA’s decision to proceed with testing.
In Europe, Fisker has received the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) certification for its Extreme trim level, which has a range of 707 km (440 miles). Full European regulatory approval is expected by the end of April, with deliveries to customers to follow.
Fisker is also pursuing a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US to validate the Ocean’s range for the Extreme trim level. The company has provided a complete vehicle description and range test data to the agency for evaluation.
Furthermore, Fisker is pursuing a California Air Resources Board (CARB) certification in California and 17 other jurisdictions in the US.
The company plans to begin production for European delivery on April 20, 2023, and intends to adopt a dual-homologation approach for Europe and the US, with European deliveries preceding North America. Fisker has changed its production strategy to build some units for internal use to maintain production readiness and avoid holding inventory that cannot be delivered in either Europe or the US.
See also: Fisker’s Ocean All-Electric SUV Takes the Lead in Range and Features, Configurator Now Open
Although waiting for the EPA to provide a firm date for certification, Fisker is confident that the agency will confirm the estimated 350-mile (563 km) range for the Ocean’s Extreme trim level. A separate ramp-up for units destined for the US is expected to begin in the first week of May.
Fisker’s Ocean SUV is one of the most anticipated electric vehicles set to hit the market, with its sleek design and sustainable features. With its safety and regulatory certifications now secured, the company can confidently move forward with its production and delivery plans.
