WLTP Woes Push Carmakers to Halt Plug-in Sales in Europe

German carmakers have suspended sales of several plug-in hybrid models in Europe because the vehicles no longer qualify for tax breaks. Automotive News Europe reports.

Plug-ins, like conventional piston-powered vehicles, emit more carbon dioxide under Europe’s new WLTP (world harmonize light vehicle test procedure) than they did in the old NEDC (new European driving cycle) era.

WLTP, which took effect on Sept. 1, is designed to narrow the substantial gap between laboratory and real-world emission levels in the NEDC era. The new testing regimen reduces the all-electric range of a plug-in and raises the vehicle’s overall CO₂ emissions rating.

The difference is enough to push the CO₂ emissions of many plug-in models above 50 g/km, making them ineligible for tax breaks worth as much as €3,000 ($3,500). ANE says manufacturers must now decide whether it’s worth the cost to install larger batteries to requalify the affected models.

The quandary has prompted BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen to temporarily suspend plug-in sales of at least some models. Volvo has opted to sell its XC60 plug-in crossover, whose CO₂ levels now surpass the 50 g/km limit, without incentives.

ANE says that Mitsubishi has updated its Outlander crossover plug-in to emit only 48 g/km of CO₂ under WLTP rules, thereby maintaining the car’s eligibility for the tax cut.