WHAT IS WLTP?

WLTP is a global harmonised standard to determine light-duty vehicles’ levels of CO₂ emissions and other pollutants, as well as their fuel or energy consumption.

WHY DO WE NEED WLTP?

Because the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) – the current measuring cycle last updated in 1997 – has long been criticised by specialists and the public for the unrealistic data it produces (the test cycle is too lenient, doesn’t respond to current traffic and doesn’t take optional equipment into account).

WHAT DOES WLTP DELIVER?

The new WLTP test cycle delivers consumption and CO₂ emission figures better aligned with reality. The new WLTP driving cycle is faster, longer and more dynamic in comparison to the NEDC and takes optional equipment into account.

WLTP IMPLEMENTATION

WLTP was introduced on 1 September 2017. Since then, all new vehicle types have needed WLTP values (this applies only to new vehicle homologation). From 1 September 2018, all new registered vehicles require WLTP values.

WHO HAS INTRODUCED WLTP?

Legend to the map:

Green - European Union (28 countries)
Light grey – other 4 European countries (Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland)
Black - Candidate countries: Turkey (WLTP applies for imported vehicles; for locally produced vehicles NEDC applies), Israel and outlying EU regions (still unclear): Réunion Island, Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, St. Martin, Mayotte
Dark grey - Partial implementation: South Korea, Japan (WLTP without “extra-high” test cycle phase), India, China (CO₂ emissions only, NEDC is used for consumption figures)

WLTP VS. NEDC

• about a 50% longer cycle time • more than double the cycle distance • 131 km/h – higher maximum speed • 47 km/h – higher average speed • half the idling time

ALL IN THE DETAIL…

WLTP requires a higher test mass for vehicles (15% of the maximum payload of the vehicle).

TIMELINE


WLTP IS MORE COMPREHENSIVE THAN NEDC

WLTP takes additional equipment into account, e.g. bigger wheels, GPS, and spoilers. This influence on CO₂ and consumption is measured by the impact the equipment has on rolling resistance, aerodynamics and weight.

RDE AND PEMS

REAL DRIVING EMISSIONS (RDE)

RDE stands for Real Driving Emissions and describes the on-road measuring procedure, i.e. it is carried out on the road rather than under standardised test conditions on a test rig, as is the case with WLTP and before with NEDC. RDE is also being used in order to verify the emissions (NOx) measured during the WLTP testing procedure.

PORTABLE EMISSIONS MEASUREMENT SYSTEM (PEMS)

In RDE tests, exhaust gas emissions – NOx (nitrogen oxide), particles (fine dust) and other – are measured during an actual drive on the road using a Portable Emissions Measurement System (PEMS).