After complaints that existing testing generates readings up to four times lower than real-world emissions, the European Union plans to toughen its method for measuring carbon dioxide emissions from plug-in hybrid cars, according to two persons familiar with the situation.
Because of the new methodology, several carmakers that sold almost as many plug-in hybrids as battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in Europe in 2021 may need to sell more BEVs in order to achieve EU emissions objectives and avoid large fines.
The new test is expected to be implemented in 2025, according to the sources.
The test will include data from fuel usage meters, which are required by EU law to be installed in new automobiles starting in 2021.
This will give a more accurate picture of how much hybrid automobiles still rely on their internal combustion engines rather than their electric batteries.
"The utility factor will be changed," Petr Dolejsi, sustainable transport director of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) told Reuters, referring to the average estimate of how far a hybrid drives in electric mode.
"We are starting to collect the data from the vehicles...it is an ongoing process."
The European Commission is currently discussions a change to the organization’s Euro 6 pollutant emission implementing rules which revise the approach to testing – which is known as the Worldwide Light Vehicles Testing Procedure (WLTP), aimed at ascertaining the utility factors based on real-life data from fuel consumption meters, said an official o0f the Commission. The sources however did not provide any further details.
The Motor Vehicle Working Group would be the next body that would be discussing the changes in the regulations which would include stakeholders from the industry as well as the government and consumer associations. The discussions are to be held on February 9, said the reports, adding that a decision on the change is anticipated to be made later this year.
Changing the test to better reflect real-world emissions supports a growing consensus among environmental groups and regulators that plug-in hybrids are not as environmentally friendly as previously thought, and that they should not be treated equally to battery-electric vehicles when developing policies to encourage electrification.
Carmakers, still trying to rebuild their reputation following the Dieselgate scandal in 2015, in which some employed illegal software to cheat emissions tests, frequently reveal the results of their emissions tests at the start of the year. The European Commission does not provide official numbers until later.
Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Renault have announced that they have met their targets for 2021, thanks to record electric vehicle sales.
According to the WLTP test that was put to use last year, inspectors were paid by carmakers for overseeing the companies undertake a standardized test for all types of vehicles that they make and sell. The tests are conducted for vehicles including those with internal combustion engines, hybrid ones, and battery-electric cars. The tests are conducted by the car makers in their internal labs and the results are depicted in the form of a figure for average carbon dioxide emissions per kilometer.
The 2021 targets were roughly 95g CO2/km, with tiny variations due to each carmaker's objective being adjusted based on the average weight of their vehicles.
The WLTP testing procedure was developed using real-world data on how and where people drive, from distance and speed to road type - a substantial improvement over the previous test, which was solely based on theoretical models.
(Source:www.reuters.com)
Because of the new methodology, several carmakers that sold almost as many plug-in hybrids as battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in Europe in 2021 may need to sell more BEVs in order to achieve EU emissions objectives and avoid large fines.
The new test is expected to be implemented in 2025, according to the sources.
The test will include data from fuel usage meters, which are required by EU law to be installed in new automobiles starting in 2021.
This will give a more accurate picture of how much hybrid automobiles still rely on their internal combustion engines rather than their electric batteries.
"The utility factor will be changed," Petr Dolejsi, sustainable transport director of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) told Reuters, referring to the average estimate of how far a hybrid drives in electric mode.
"We are starting to collect the data from the vehicles...it is an ongoing process."
The European Commission is currently discussions a change to the organization’s Euro 6 pollutant emission implementing rules which revise the approach to testing – which is known as the Worldwide Light Vehicles Testing Procedure (WLTP), aimed at ascertaining the utility factors based on real-life data from fuel consumption meters, said an official o0f the Commission. The sources however did not provide any further details.
The Motor Vehicle Working Group would be the next body that would be discussing the changes in the regulations which would include stakeholders from the industry as well as the government and consumer associations. The discussions are to be held on February 9, said the reports, adding that a decision on the change is anticipated to be made later this year.
Changing the test to better reflect real-world emissions supports a growing consensus among environmental groups and regulators that plug-in hybrids are not as environmentally friendly as previously thought, and that they should not be treated equally to battery-electric vehicles when developing policies to encourage electrification.
Carmakers, still trying to rebuild their reputation following the Dieselgate scandal in 2015, in which some employed illegal software to cheat emissions tests, frequently reveal the results of their emissions tests at the start of the year. The European Commission does not provide official numbers until later.
Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Renault have announced that they have met their targets for 2021, thanks to record electric vehicle sales.
According to the WLTP test that was put to use last year, inspectors were paid by carmakers for overseeing the companies undertake a standardized test for all types of vehicles that they make and sell. The tests are conducted for vehicles including those with internal combustion engines, hybrid ones, and battery-electric cars. The tests are conducted by the car makers in their internal labs and the results are depicted in the form of a figure for average carbon dioxide emissions per kilometer.
The 2021 targets were roughly 95g CO2/km, with tiny variations due to each carmaker's objective being adjusted based on the average weight of their vehicles.
The WLTP testing procedure was developed using real-world data on how and where people drive, from distance and speed to road type - a substantial improvement over the previous test, which was solely based on theoretical models.
(Source:www.reuters.com)
