On 14 June, the Technical Committee on Motor Vehicles, made up of EU Member State representatives, agreed to implement the Worldwide Light vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) to measure CO2 emissions and fuel consumption in cars and vans from 2017 onwards. This new test cycle will replace the current testing procedure, which has loopholes that have been extensively exploited. The result has been vehicles that achieve good results in testing often let down consumers in real-world performance. Through the WLTP’s more dynamic nature and higher accelerations, it is expected to bring some improvements in the consumption values derived from the test.

Thierry Willemarck, President of FIA Region I, said: “As we have been advocating for years to introduce a better test cycle, we welcome the Member States’ commitment to implement the WLTP by 2017. This new procedure, though not perfect, will give a more accurate picture of the vehicles’ emissions in a testing environment. However, additional market surveillance measures should ensure that improvements are effectively delivered on the road to restore consumer confidence in the cars that they buy.”

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Notes to editors

About FIA Region I
The FIA Region I office, based in Brussels, is a consumer body representing 111 Motoring and Touring Clubs and their 38 million members from across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The FIA represents the interest of these members as motorists, public transport users, pedestrians and tourists. The FIA’s primary goal is to secure a mobility that is safe, affordable, sustainable and efficient. With these aims in mind, FIA Region I’s work focuses on Road Safety, Consumer Protection, Environmental Protection, and the promotion of Sustainable Motoring. www.fiaregion1.com