The old lab test – called the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) – was designed in the 1980s and became outdated today due to several evolutions in technology and driving conditions.
The European Union has therefore prepared a new test, called the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) that applies from September 2017.
What are the benefits of WLTP?
The same car suddenly has two different CO2 values, why is this?
Will WLTP end the discrepancy between the laboratory and on-road performance of cars?
When will the WLTP changes take place?
How to ensure a smooth transition to WLTP?
main differences between the two test procedures:
| NEDC | WLTP | |
| Test cycle | Single test cycle | Dynamic cycle more representative of real driving |
| Cycle time | 20 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Cycle distance | 11 kilometre | 23.25 kilometre |
| Driving phases | 2 phases, 66% urban and 34% non-urban driving | 4 more dynamic phases, 52% urban and 48% non-urban |
| Average speed | 34 kilometre per hour | 46.5 kilometre per hour |
| Maximum speed | 120 kilometre per hour | 131 kilometre per hour |
| Influence of optional equipment | Impact on CO2 and fuel performance not considered under NEDC | Additional features (which can differ per car) are taken into account |
| Gear shifts | Vehicles have fixed gear shift points | Different gear shift points for each vehicle |
| Test temperatures | Measurements at 20-30°C | Measurements at 23°C, CO2 values corrected to 14°C |
