European Commission Report Reveals Significant Discrepancy Between Actual and WLTP Emissions Figures

European Commission Report Finds Big Gap Between Real-World And WLTP Figures

When reviewing new cars in Europe, you quickly notice that they never quite live up to their official Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) figures. Whether it’s an internal combustion vehicle or an electric vehicle, they always fall short of the advertised efficiency or range.

The European Commission (EC) recently released data showing that WLTP figures for gasoline or diesel cars have a gap of about 20%, with plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) faring even worse. To tackle this issue, the EC mandated the installation of on-board fuel consumption monitoring devices (OBFCMs) in vehicles sold in Europe starting in 2021. The data collected from over 617,000 cars and nearly 7,000 vans revealed that gasoline models were, on average, 23.7% less efficient than their WLTP claim, while diesels had an 18.1% gap.

For PHEVs, the difference was even greater, with many using significantly more fuel than their official estimates due to owners not charging them as frequently as expected. This discrepancy has been a common observation over the years, with a 20% gap consistently noted for most vehicles in Europe.

The WLTP test cycle, introduced in 2017 as an improvement over the New European Driving Cycle, is now under scrutiny for its accuracy and may see further refinement in the future. The aim is to develop a testing method that accurately represents a vehicle’s efficiency and range based on real-world driving conditions.

Comparatively, the EPA test cycle used in the United States is considered more accurate than WLTP, allowing for a better understanding of a vehicle’s efficiency and potential to exceed official figures. The ultimate goal is to transition to more efficient vehicles with lower emissions, potentially leading to a shift in the types of cars produced and sold in Europe.

By setting targets for carmakers to meet CO2 emissions goals and promote the sale of Electric vehicles, the EC aims to drive the automotive industry towards smaller, lighter, and more efficient models. This shift could result in a move away from big SUVs towards vehicles that improve overall efficiency and emissions for manufacturers.