WLTP for EV vs NEDC for PHEV: How It Works

 

The automotive industry, along with the methods used to measure a vehicle's environmental effect, is a dynamic one. Do you recall those outdated fuel efficiency figures? The New European Driving Cycle, or NEDC, test was their foundation.

 

But there's still more! The way we assess a car's performance has also seen a significant improvement. A revolution in car testing, introduce yourself to the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP). This ground-breaking method presents a novel viewpoint and is especially advantageous to purchasers of electric and plug-in hybrid cars (PHEVs) and EVs. Why? It helps us understand just how far these vehicles can actually travel on a single battery. Imagine trying to compare the range of a sleek BYD Seal using NEDC figures – it wouldn't give you a true picture of what you can expect on the road.

 

Emissions Testing: A Brief Overview

 

The Purpose of Emissions Tests

 

The processes used for emissions testing are meant to replicate actual driving circumstances to precisely determine a car's fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions. These tests assist buyers in making well-informed judgments about the cars they buy and direct automakers to enhance the environmental efficacy of their products. Although NEDC was useful for this for a long time, it was outdated, and the more thorough WLTP had to be introduced.

 

The Legacy of NEDC

 

What Was NEDC?

 

During the 1980s, automakers began to use a system known as the New European Driving Cycle, or NEDC. It was intended to resemble normal driving on highways and in cities. However, to be honest, in the era of smartphones, it was similar to using a rotary phone. Because the NEDC test was based on a single, basic route, it couldn't keep up with changes in driving behavior or the production of new, fancier automobiles.

 

Key Features of NEDC

 

- Cycle Duration: 20 minutes
- Cycle Distance: 11 km
- Driving Phases: 66% urban, 34% non-urban
- Average Speed: 34 kph
- Maximum Speed: 120 kph
- Gear Shifts: Fixed gear shift points
- Influence of Optional Equipment: Not considered

 

The Advent of WLTP

 

What is WLTP?

 

Consequently, the NEDC was no longer adequate. Regulators and automakers realized there had to be a more accurate method for calculating how much pollution and gas a car emits. This is where the WLTP is useful. Because it was born out of the Dieselgate incident, the WLTP is like a truth serum for cars. It was eventually revealed in 2018 following years of investigation. Its goal is to provide us with a more realistic picture of what a car might act like in the actual world. No more misleading numbers or figures. The WLTP accounts for acceleration force, speed, and even accessories you add to your automobile, such as a sunroof or air conditioning.

 

Key Features of WLTP

 

- Cycle Duration: 30 minutes
- Cycle Distance: 23.25 km
- Driving Phases: 52% urban, 48% non-urban
- Average Speed: 46.5 kph
- Maximum Speed: 131 kph
- Gear Shifts: Vehicle-dependent shift points
- Influence of Optional Equipment: Considered

 

Comparing WLTP and NEDC

 

1. Duration and Distance

 

The length and distance of the test cycles are two of the biggest distinctions between WLTP and NEDC. Twenty minutes are needed to complete the 11 km NEDC test, whereas thirty minutes are needed to complete the 23.25 km WLTP test. The NEDC's lengthier and more diverse cycle offers an improved estimation of real-world driving circumstances.

 

2. Driving Phases and Speed

 

The WLTP is like a real-life driving simulator. It takes your car through four different speed zones: slow, medium, fast, and super fast. And it gives more weight to highway driving than the old NEDC test did. So, it's more like what you'd actually experience on the road.

 

The NEDC, on the other hand, was simpler. It just had two speeds, slow and medium, and it focused mostly on city driving. So, it didn't show you how a car would perform on the open road.

 

To conclude, the WLTP test pushes cars harder. The cars go faster and for longer periods, giving us a better idea of how much gas they'll really use or how far an electric car can actually go.

 

3. Impact of Optional Equipment

 

Unlike the NEDC, the WLTP takes into account the impact that additional equipment has on a vehicle's emissions and fuel efficiency. This suggests that by taking into account the additional weight and power consumption of luxuries like air conditioning, larger wheels, and complex multimedia systems in the test results, a more accurate picture of a vehicle's performance in the real world is obtained. 

 

How WLTP Affects Consumers in the UAE

 

Informed Decision-Making

 

What does this signify for you as a vehicle buyer in the UAE, then? You can now access far more accurate information because of the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure, or WLTP meaning for short. Guessing the games are over! When looking for your new vehicle, you may compare cars to cars or apples to apples with confidence, thanks to the WLTP's real-world data. You can be sure that the specs you see accurately represent how the vehicle will perform on the roads of the UAE. It benefits the customers.

 

The switch from NEDC to WLTP has significantly advanced the measurement of vehicle emissions and fuel consumption. This update provides more accurate and realistic performance statistics for electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), enabling customers to make better decisions. Check out our offers page for the most recent offers and your financing alternatives at BYD UAE.