PSA Peugeot Citroën 'real world' emissions tests show sizeable 'gap'
Wed 06 April 2016
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T&E, the Brussels-based NGO has announced what it claims are the first tests of cars’ ‘real-world’ CO2 emissions based on a new testing protocol devised by T&E. The results - on three PSA Peugeot Citroën models - show gaps between official and actual emissions of 36-56%, very similar to those of other on-road fuel efficiency databases.
The three models were tested by PSA Peugeot Citroën on public roads near Paris with passengers, luggage loads, use of air conditioning and other 'real-life' driving conditions.
T&E reports that when tested a Peugeot 308 1.6l diesel model recorded a fuel efficiency rating of 5.0 litres per 100 km, or 20 km/l, compared to just 3.2 litres in the official NEDC tests. A Citroën Grand C4 Picasso delivered 5.6 l/100 km (17.8 km/l) in real-world conditions, compared to 4.0 litres in the official tests. The DS3 model consumed 4.9l/100km (20.4 km/l) versus 3.6 litres in the NEDC tests. By the summer the French group will publish the actual consumption of 30 models from the Peugeot and Citroen ranges.
PSA Peugeot Citroën is the first carmaker to carry out such tests and the first results are comparable to those obtained from independent customer surveys. T&E says this shows that the procedure conducted is scientifically robust and representative of a typical driver.
T&E says that the test proves that the on-road tests are reliable and can be used to measure real CO2 emissions and that this should become the benchmark for all carmakers advertising their vehicles’ fuel efficiency.”
The results of the protocol are to be presented to the European Commission with a view to real-world driving conditions being accounted for in the next revision of Europe’s car CO2 standards.
Meanwhile, the car maker Opel has confirmed more details of how it will voluntarily publish fuel consumption numbers reflecting different driving behaviours recorded under the Worldwide Harmonized Light Duty Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) test cycle from June 2016.
First announced last December, the fuel consumption numbers based on the WLTP test cycle will be published alongside the official fuel consumption and CO2 information for its vehicles, starting with the new Astra.
The company says that the results will act as an intermediate step towards the Real Driving Emissions (RDE) legislation set to come into effect in September 2017.
Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, Opel Group CEO, said: “We at Opel strongly believe that the industry has to regain trust by increasing the transparency with customers and authorities. Opel takes this step towards RDE to show it can be done.
The difference between the test cycle CO2 and the actual carbon impact in use is an area the LowCVP is currently studying to provide a robust “top down” model of the real impact of UK transport on carbon emissions. Many aspects contribute to this including driving style, vehicle technology, fuel blend, road conditions, to name just a few. The LowCVP works across all areas to identify where reductions can be made and how policy and information can stimulate these.
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