Get real, demand fuel consumption figures you can trust!

Before the emission tests in the laboratory, carmakers optimise their cars in a way that is not representative of real-driving conditions. By doing so, they manage to reduce, on paper, fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.

For example, they:

use so-called “fuel saving” technologies, like stop-start systems ⓘ, that makes cars more efficient during the test in the lab, but not on the road.

make the most of test loopholes, including defeat devices ⓘ, to reduce emissions on paper.

switch off part of the car equipment, such as air conditioning and lights, during the test.

Here is an overview of the ways the official data can be manipulated:

This picture shows how manufacturers have manipulated official fuel consumption data of passenger cars under the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) certification procedure. As of September 1, 2017, new car models have to pass a newly developed lab test procedure, the WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure), before they can be driven on EU roads. While the WLTP reduces some of the loopholes available in the NEDC, it has the potential for manipulation and exploitation of flexibilities, as does any lab test procedure. Unless effective surveillance mechanisms are introduced, carmakers will be able to exploit the loopholes in the WLTP and the discrepancy between official and real-world fuel consumption values will continue to increase.

Economy and Consumers

In the EU, people spend more money on transport than on food.

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Environment

In Europe, 12% of CO₂ emissions come from cars.

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Competitiveness

To stay competitive, the European car industry must invest in innovations, not in trickery.

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Energy

80% of EU oil imports is now supplied by non-European companies.

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Consumers must be able to buy cleaner and cheaper vehicles, with fuel consumption figures they can trust.

Carmakers have been able to achieve, on paper, good fuel economy results. But this is only due to optimisations, flawed tests, the absence of spot checks on cars already sold, and the difficulties for consumers in taking action against unrealistic fuel consumption figures.

To tackle global warming, save consumers money, keep European carmakers competitive and reduce the EU's dependency on imported oil, we must close the gap between official and real fuel consumption figures.

How can we close the gap?

Interview with Dimitri Vergne, Senior Sustainable Transport Officer at European consumer organisation BEUC on the impact of the transition to WLTP on consumers

“The growing gap means consumers spend a lot more money on fuels than anticipated. According to studies by our members, motorists pay in average an extra 400€ per year for fuel”

European new car CO2 emissions are rising because of heavier, bigger diesels

Provisional data for European new car carbon emissions in 2017 published today shows the small but expected rise in new car CO2 emissions of 0.4g/km is due to the strong growth in sales of crossover and SUV models – mainly diesel powered.