WLTP - What will change from September 2018?

The big question is… What is WLTP and how will the changes affect you?

To sell new vehicles in the UK from September 2018, all vehicle manufacturers are required to conform to the new Euro 6d TEMP legislation. The test cycles used for Euro 6d TEMP are WLTP and RDE.

The Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) is a new, global, vehicle test procedure which is both laboratory and road based. It has been developed to provide more accurate measurements of a vehicle’s fuel economy and emissions which are closer to those found in real driving conditions. For new models, WLTP came into effect in September 2017, however, from September 2018 any new vehicles on sale will need to undergo WLTP testing.

The Real Driving Emissions (RDE) test measures the emissions of vehicles whilst driving on public roads and exposed to a wide range of conditions. Portable Emissions Measurement System (PEMS) equipment is installed in vehicles to collect the data.

How will these changes affect you?

• The fuel consumption and CO2 emissions data released for all new vehicles will be more accurate than under the previous testing regime and more reflective of real-world driving.
• WLTP ensures that customers will be better informed when making their purchase decisions.

What are the differences between WLTP and the old testing method?

• Uses more realistic driving behaviour.
• A greater range of driving situations (urban, suburban, main road, motorway).
• Longer test distances.
• More realistic ambient temperatures, closer to the European average.
• Higher average and maximum speeds.
• Higher average and maximum drive power.
• More dynamic and representative accelerations and decelerations.
• Shorter stops.
• Considers optional equipment: CO2 values and fuel consumption are provided for individual vehicles as built.
• Stricter car set-up and measurement conditions.
• Enables best and worst-case values on consumer information, reflecting the options available for similar car models.

Because of all these improvements, WLTP will provide a much more accurate basis for calculating a car’s fuel consumption and emissions. This will ensure that lab measurements better reflect the on-road performance of a car.

The transition to WLTP…

• September 2014 – New clean air targets set by the EU.
• July 2017 – All manufacturers can request WLTP approvals for the new vehicle model.
• September 2017 – WLTP required for all new vehicle models introduced to the marketplace | NEDCc correlation will be available for consumer comparison purposes until September 2019.
• September 2018 – WLTP will apply to all new vehicle registrations, however no publication of data is required.
• January 2019 – WLTP fuel consumption figures to be published in point of sale consumer information (NEDCc C02 values will continue to be used).
• April 2020 – All WLTP figures to be published with taxation bands aligning with these new values.

How are manufacturers meeting the new emission requirements?

• Absorption - A lean NOx Trap is fitted as part of the exhaust system, changing the NOx into Nitrogen which is released into the atmosphere.
• Additive - Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF, commonly known as AdBlue) – an additive containing ‘urea’, which is injected into the exhaust system converting the NOx into Nitrogen.
• Particulate filters - Fitted to all diesel and some petrol models.
• New powertrain technology - Hybrid, electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

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