Mexican Media Brands
Study: One-Third of “Green” Gains in Europe Due to Test Variations
European carmakers lowered the average carbon dioxide emissions of their cars 16% to 167 g/km between 2002 and 2010, according to the region's mandated testing method.
#regulations
Share
European carmakers lowered the average carbon dioxide emissions of their cars 16% to 167 g/km between 2002 and 2010, according to the region's mandated testing method.
But a new study for the European Commission estimates one-third of the improvement came from "flexibilities" in the test procedure rather than real gains, Reuters reports.
Critics have pointed out for years that the European test procedure generates optimistic fuel economy ratings that are rarely matched by real-life driving conditions.
The study cites such loopholes as being able to run the test on an unrealistically smooth road surface that cuts rolling friction, thereby enhancing fuel economy and reducing CO2. The resulting gap between claimed and real-world fuel economy costs each European driver as much as $180 per year in higher-than-expected fuel bills, according to the analysis.
The report was conducted for the EC by the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, AEA Ricardo and IHS Global Insight.
Reuters notes that the EC expects to revise Europe's testing law by about 2016. The commission has cautioned that the update will reduce but not eliminate variability in the procedure.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Choosing the Right Fasteners for Automotive
PennEngineering makes hundreds of different fasteners for the automotive industry with standard and custom products as well as automated assembly solutions. Discover how they’re used and how to select the right one. (Sponsored Content)
-
Global Supply of Automotive Fasteners from a Single Source
PennEngineering offers a global supply for a wide range of fasteners for the automotive industry, including China-based facilities that manufacture standard and custom products to world-class standards of quality at lower cost.
-
Robotic Exoskeleton Amplifies Human Strength
The Sarcos Guardian XO Max full-body, all-electric exoskeleton features strength amplification of up to 20 to 1, making 200 pounds—the suit’s upper limit—feel like 10 pounds for the user.
