Evidence from Emissions Analytics reveals the difference between official fuel economy figures and real-world results is continuing to grow.
The latest examination of its data shows that the gap between the combined New European Driving Cycle figures and its real-world results has grown to 24%. This is a dramatic increase from the 16% average variance it first recorded in 2012, and shows the degree to which official figures distort the true picture of vehicle efficiency.
The company says that in real terms, the fuel economy motorists can expect from their new vehicles is hardly growing, at just 2mpg over the last three years. They say that these new results suggest progress in this area has now stalled.
Emissions Analytics also claims that any backlash against ‘dirty diesels’, as previously reported on, may further work against greenhouse gas reductions if consumers switch back to the higher CO2 gasoline vehicles, despite the fact that the industry narrative and public perception about diesels may be lagging reality.
Paul Gauntlett - 09/04/2015 14:40
In terms of claimed versus actual MPG I'm fortunate to live in a rural location with most of my customers a counrty road before motorway journey away. Thus I'm on a motorway or traveling locally on uncongested roads. These two factors help me get reasonably close to the claimed manufacturer 'combined number' number. However there are probably a couple of other factors that help - which everyone could benefit from irresepctive of where you live / type of travel you do. 1) Tyre Pressures. I check mine everyweek-end but I see so many cars and vans with underinflated tyres. c5% less MPG as a result? 2) Unessesary weight. I feel pretty guily that I'm often the only one in the car so I remove anything I don't need after the week-ends so I dont drive round with it all week. Again I see lots of car boots filled with stuff that surely not needed on every journey. 3) Oil. Some of the improvements to manufacturer MPG comes from using low friction oil. When my car gets serviced I make sure the same stuff gets replaced and not a cheaper alternative (that ends up costing more money at the pumps) 4) Turn the engine off! At railway crossing etc I'm amazed people can afford to keep their engine running 5) And not least braking. If the lights red why race up and slam on the brakes. My company made all drviers (irrespective of dricing record) attend a course covering accident prevention and fuel effecient driving. In my opinion money well spent!