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WLTP

What is WLTP and how does it work?

The old lab test – called the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) – was designed in the 1980’s. Due to evolutions in technology and driving conditions, it became outdated. The European Union has therefore developed a new test, called the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). The EU automobile industry welcomed the shift to WLTP and has actively contributed to the development of this new test cycle.

While the old NEDC test determined test values based on a theoretical driving profile, the WLTP cycle was developed using real-driving data, gathered from around the world. WLTP therefore better represents everyday driving profiles.

The WLTP driving cycle is divided into four parts with different average speeds: low, medium, high and extra high. Each part contains a variety of driving phases, stops, acceleration and braking phases. For a certain vehicle type, each powertrain configuration is tested with WLTP for the car’s lightest, most aerodynamic (most economical) and heaviest, least aerodynamic (least economical) version.

WLTP was developed with the aim of being used as a global test cycle across different world regions, so pollutant and CO2 emissions as well as fuel/energy consumption values would be comparable worldwide. However, while the WLTP has a common global ‘core’, the European Union and other regions apply the test in different ways depending on their road traffic laws and needs.

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NEDC vs WLTP

WLTP replaced the NEDC measuring procedure. New test parameters target more realistic values. See below how the procedures differ:

NEDC

WLTP

Conditions:

Test duration

20 min.

30 min.

Test distance

11 km

23.5 km

Time spent stationary

25%

13%

Test phases

Urban/Exta-Urban, (combined)

Low, Medium, High, Extra high, (Combined); (plus "City" for electric vehicles and vehicles with plug-in hybrid drivetrain)

Speed

Average: 34 km/h

Maximum: 120 km/h

Average: 46.6 km/h

Maximum: 131 km/h

Temperature

20-30° Cold engine start

14° C (tested at 23° C corrected for 14° C) Cold engine start

Special equipment options

Not taken into consideration

All equipment options are considered in terms of their influence on aerodynamics, weight and rolling resistance.

Conditions:

Test duration

20 min.

Test distance

11 km

Time spent stationary

25%

Test phases

Urban/Exta-Urban, (combined)

Speed

Average: 34 km/h

Maximum: 120 km/h

Temperature

20-30° Cold engine start

Special equipment options

Not taken into consideration

What is the “Real Driving Emissions” (RDE) test and how does it work?

The Real Driving Emissions (RDE) test measures the pollutants, such as NOx, emitted by passenger vehicles while driven on the road. RDE does not replace the WLTP laboratory test, but complements it. RDE ensures that passenger vehicles deliver low emissions over on-road conditions. Europe is the first region in the world to introduce such on-road testing, marking a major leap in the testing of car emissions.

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Next steps

Important information for Volkswagen owners

Emissions information

Motor code of industry

Next steps

Important information :

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