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WLTP vs. NEDC: What are the key differences in this fuel testing war?
In the globalized automotive industry, different countries have different testing standards for vehicle fuel consumption and emissions, and the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) is an important milestone in this fuel testing war. As a new generation of testing standards, WLTP aims to replace the outdated New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). What is the driving force behind it? This article will take a closer look at the key differences between WLTP and NEDC and their impact on vehicle manufacturers and consumers.
The Birth of WLTP
WLTP is not only a new standard established by the European Union in 2015, but has also been widely accepted by many countries including China, Japan, and the United States. The main goal is to ensure that emissions and fuel efficiency data for each vehicle under different driving conditions more closely reflect actual usage.
WLTP aims to better match fuel consumption and emissions estimated in the laboratory with data measured under road conditions.
Transition from NEDC to WLTP
NEDC has been the mainstream test standard in Europe since the 1980s, but as vehicle technology advances, it no longer accurately reflects the actual conditions of modern driving.
NEDC's structural characteristics include an average speed of 34 km/h, gentle acceleration and a small number of long stops, which are far from today's complex and changeable driving scenarios.
Differences in testing procedures
WLTP has improved several key test parameters, including the total duration of the test, the speed profile and the diversity of driving conditions. For example, the WLTP test lasts 30 minutes overall and covers a driving distance of 23.25 kilometers, which is almost twice that of the NEDC. This more dynamic speed profile and more realistic driving conditions make WLTP a superior testing standard.
WLTP technical standards
During the WLTP process, vehicles are tested in a variety of clear and repeatable laboratory environments and cover a variety of different driving cycles, including urban, suburban, main roads and motorways.
The testing process provided by WLTP has stricter parameter settings for laboratory equipment and has higher transparency and consistency in data processing than NEDC.
Real Driving Emissions Testing and Supplements
The new standard also introduces the Real Driving Emissions (RDE) test, an additional procedure to validate emissions limits under a variety of real driving conditions. This comprehensive test not only takes into account laboratory test results, but also takes into account pollutant emissions during actual driving.
Challenges of transition
The transition period from NEDC to WLTP began in 2017 and was officially completed in September 2019. During this transition period, vehicle manufacturers need to obtain approval for both NEDC and WLTP, which often brings difficulties and challenges.
Due to the structural differences between WLTP and NEDC, the data of the same vehicle under the two tests may be significantly different.
Current and future prospects
Although WLTP has replaced NEDC, laws, regulations and market demands around the world are still evolving, and we may see more environmentally oriented policies in the future. For vehicle manufacturers, adapting to these changes is not limited to complying with the new standard testing, but also requires innovation in design and technology.
In summary, the key difference between WLTP and NEDC lies in its practicality and adaptability to current driving patterns. Do you think there will be more stringent testing standards in the future to meet environmental challenges?
