The WLTP testing standards are far more in-depth, albeit still based on laboratory conditions.
WLTP will offer new testing standards, including:
· A more dynamic style of driving;
· Longer cycle distance (23km);
· Higher average speeds (46.5km/hr);
· Higher maximum speed (131km);
· Longer cycle (30minutes);
· Influence of options equipment (additional features must be taken into account); and
· Gear shifts (more gear shifts).
For any new cars from September 2018, they must adhere to WLTP testing standards. However, any end of series models will be given special dispensation and manufacturers will not have to re-test any older models, allowing them to be sold under the NEDC testing standards. From April 2020, all CO2 statistics will be based on WLTP rather than an intermediate figure. This means company car tax users will be affected from April 2020 for BiK calculations. So is this just cars? While cars were the first to face WLTP, all LCVs must undertake WLTP from September 2019. Testing standards will therefore be uniform from September this year.
Air quality and the environment is something which is becoming more and more popular. Websites are now emerging to helps customers truly understand their vehicle’s air quality rating. The Air Index (https://www.airindex.com/search) is one such resource, which effectively allows personal and business customers to make informed decisions based on the cars CO2 and NOx emissions.
To supplement WLTP, the Real Driving Emissions (RDE) test has been introduced to measure other pollutants such as NOx. Unlike WLTP this is an “on the road” test which will involve a car being fitted with a portable emission measuring system and then being driven over a range of conditions such as :
· Low and high altitudes;
· Urban roads, rural roads and motorways;
· Additional payloads; and
· Year-round temperatures.
RDE is being introduced in two stages. RDE 1 (which works on a NOx conformity actor of 2.1) applied since September 2017 on all “new” cars. From September 2019, ALL cars will have to adhere to RDE1. From January 2021 all models/vehicle will have to adhere to RDE 2 (which has a NOx conformity factor of 1).
The increasing quality of testing and emission places more emphasis on manufacturers to produce quality combustion engines. Those that cannot produce low enough CO2, NOx and competitive MPG will not migrate into the UK company car market (which is a tax regime based around all of this). Perhaps these tightening measures will see more and more customers move towards alternative fuel vehicles in the form of electric cars and vans.
