For car buyers and manufacturers alike, understanding how fuel consumption, CO2, and pollutant emissions are measured is crucial. These figures, often quoted when purchasing a new vehicle, are not derived from real-world driving scenarios but from controlled laboratory tests. This standardized approach ensures that results are reproducible and comparable across different car models, providing a benchmark for consumers. Historically, Europe relied on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), but as of September 1, 2017, a more modern and representative protocol, the Worldwide harmonised Light-duty vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), has been gradually taking its place. While you might be dreaming of a fuel-efficient sports car, perhaps even imagining a practical Hatchback Ferrari for daily use, understanding these tests helps clarify the numbers behind vehicle performance.
NEDC: The Outdated Standard
The New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) served as the European standard for measuring fuel consumption and emissions for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles for many years. Originating in 1970 with a focus on urban driving, it expanded in 1992 to include an extra-urban phase and became the standard for CO2 emissions measurement in 1997. However, the NEDC’s limitations became increasingly apparent as driving styles and road usage evolved. With an average speed of just 34 km/h, gentle accelerations, and a maximum speed of only 120 km/h, the NEDC cycle no longer accurately reflected typical driving conditions. It essentially presented a rather optimistic view of fuel efficiency and emissions, often differing significantly from what drivers experienced in everyday use, whether they were driving a city car or even a high-performance vehicle.
WLTP: A More Realistic Approach
The Worldwide harmonised Light-duty vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) was developed to address the shortcomings of the NEDC. It employs new Worldwide harmonised Light-duty vehicle Test Cycles (WLTC) to assess fuel consumption, CO2, and pollutant emissions. The core aim of WLTP is to furnish consumers with data that more accurately mirrors real-world vehicle usage. This new procedure is characterized by a more dynamic driving profile featuring more substantial acceleration and deceleration phases. The maximum test speed is elevated to 131.3 km/h, the average speed increases to 46.5 km/h, and the total cycle duration extends to 30 minutes, a notable increase from the NEDC’s 20 minutes. Furthermore, the test distance doubles from 11 to 23.25 kilometers.
The WLTP test comprises four distinct sections based on speed: Low (up to 56.5 km/h), Medium (up to 76.6 km/h), High (up to 97.4 km/h), and Extra-high (up to 131.3 km/h). These segments are designed to simulate a range of driving scenarios, including urban, suburban, extra-urban roads, and motorway driving. Crucially, WLTP also considers vehicle-specific optional equipment that impacts aerodynamics, rolling resistance, and overall vehicle mass. This attention to detail results in a CO2 emission value that is more representative of the individual vehicle’s configuration as purchased by the consumer. Therefore, whether you are considering a standard model or a highly customized car, including perhaps a uniquely configured hatchback Ferrari if such a model existed, WLTP aims to provide a more transparent and realistic picture of its environmental performance.
Conclusion: Towards More Accurate Vehicle Information
The shift from NEDC to WLTP represents a significant step towards providing consumers with more relevant and reliable information about vehicle fuel consumption and emissions. While laboratory tests remain a necessary tool for standardization and comparison, WLTP’s more rigorous and realistic approach offers a clearer understanding of what to expect in everyday driving. As the automotive industry continues to evolve, and as discussions around fuel efficiency and environmental impact intensify, understanding these testing procedures becomes increasingly important for both informed purchasing decisions and for gauging the progress of automotive technology across all vehicle types, from everyday cars to aspirational brands and even hypothetical models like a hatchback Ferrari.
