EU sets 106mpg average fuel economy target

[wemorgan]

EU sets 106mpg average fuel economy target | Autocar

New EU regulations could force European car makers to hit an average of 106mpg across their model ranges by 2025, according to plans floated by members of the European parliament.

This target could be made even harder to hit by the adoption of the new World Light Duty Test Procedure (WLTP), a new method of calculating fuel economy that the EU wants to see incorporated into law by 2017 “as a matter of urgency”.

The WLTP has been designed under United Nations guidance to be “more reflective” of typical fuel economy in real-world driving conditions. The current EU combined cycle economy test, which is carried out under laboratory conditions, is coming under increasing criticism from drivers who cannot achieve the quoted figures.

MEPs also passed a draft law that will regulate the average emissions of cars sold in the EU from 130g/km of CO2 today to just 95g/km by 2020. Only car makers building fewer than 1000 cars per year will be exempt from these regulations.

The combination of much stricter CO2 limits and the new ‘real-world’ economy test is likely to provide the greatest technical hurdle ever experienced by the car industry. Building cars that are lighter, meet safety regulations and have ever-more-expensive drivetrains and yet are still affordable will be a serious headache for all brands.

Despite this, industry sources have told Autocar that non-premium European brands think that the stringent regulations, particularly the 95g/km target, will be easier for them to meet because they, in general, sell smaller, more efficient cars.

They also predict that premium brands will find it far harder to meet the target, possibly leading to significant fines for breaking the CO2 limit.

The EU is also proposing a ‘super credits’ system from this year, which would help car makers to meet the 95g/km target.

For every car sold that is rated at less than 50g/km of CO2, it will count as 3.5 cars in the manufacturer’s sales total. By 2020, this favourable weighting will fall to 1.3 cars

 

[m1br]

The new Mazdas6 I had on demo was easily achieving over 70mpg, not bad for a big saloon with a 2.2 diseasal.

That plant is one of the best and very clean, not difficult to imagine it in a smaller chassis.

 

[Stratman]

It'll be interesting to see how Range Rover and Rolls Royce deal with it, that's if it ever happens of course.

I don't remember voting legislative powers to the EU though. Last time I was consulted it was just the administrative body of a free trade area.

 

[grober]

I reckon most manufacturers could produce 100mpg cars right now ---- IF legislation dictated they had to. I reckon the technology exists already it's just current market , economic political and legislative forces means they don't have to.
e.g. VW XL1 diesel hybrid prototype - 310mpg plus

 

[wemorgan]

I agree Grober. 15 years ago Audi had the 1.2 TDI A2 capable of near 80mpg on the combined cycle. 100mpg today is there for the taking. Remove the excessive weight of today's cars coupled to a hybrid car and it's within reach. But how much are customers willing to pay for one is the question OEM ask.

 

[nick mercedes]

"New EU regulations"

Everyone voted for UKIP, apparantly.

When Nigel's in charge, and the UK is governed by daily mail reading (facist) old people, it won't really matter what the EU thinks because we'll be out of it.

 

[abecketts]

But would a 100mpg car be any fun?

 

[Harrythedog]

But how much will the Govt increase fuel duty to cover their losses?

 

[Satch]

Ah yes, the EU "Combined Cycle" aka Lala land fuel economy test.

4x ECE-15 Urban Driving Cycles and 1x Extra-Urban Driving Cycle all done on a rolling road.

Urban Cycle

Engine starts, idles for 11 seconds then slowly accelerates to 15 km/h in 4 seconds, cruises at constant speed for 8 seconds, brakes to a full stop in 5 seconds, stops for 21 seconds.

49 seconds in, car slowly accelerates to 32 km/h in 12 seconds, cruises for 24 seconds, brakes to a full stop in 11 seconds, idles for another 21 seconds.

At 117 seconds, accelerates to 50 km/h in 26 seconds, cruise for 12 seconds, decelerates to 35 km/h in 8 seconds, cruises for another 13 seconds, brakes to a full stop in 12 seconds then idles for 7 seconds.

Ends at 195 seconds after (theoretical) distance of 1017 metres

Extra Urban Cycle

20 second idle, accelerates to 70 km/h in 41 seconds, cruises for 50 seconds decelerates to 50 km/h in 8 seconds, cruises for 69 seconds, then slowly accelerates to 70 km/h in 13 seconds .

Cruises at 70 km/h for 50 seconds then slowly accelerates to 100 km/h in 35 seconds and cruises for 30 seconds.

At 316 s slowly accelerates to 120 km/h in 20 seconds, cruises for 10 seconds then brakes to full stop in 34 seconds, idles for another 20 seconds.

Total duration 6 minutes 40 seconds, theoretical distance 6956 metres with average speed of 62.6 km/h.

And people wonder why their real world MPG is nothing like the "official" figure.

 

[WDB124066]

Just add regenerative braking; yes...??

 

[grober]

But would a 100mpg car be any fun?

A lot more fun than public transport especially if you live in the country where its non existent.

 

[grober]

I agree Grober. 15 years ago Audi had the 1.2 TDI A2 capable of near 80mpg on the combined cycle. 100mpg today is there for the taking. Remove the excessive weight of today's cars coupled to a hybrid car and it's within reach. But how much are customers willing to pay for one is the question OEM ask.

Aluminium /composite chassis+ hybrid powertrain+ regenerative braking, +FWD - {obviates weight and required rear chassis strength] + significant loss of weight [ manual seats- window winders - sound deadening replaced with noise cancellation audio output -thinner but laminated glass all round ] narrower wheels +low rolling resistance tyres + better aerodynamics--- all existing tech= easy peasy --- if they really needed/wanted to.

 

[Lagerlout]

The Volvo V60 Hybrid Plugin is already doing numbers similar to this and it's a sub 7 second 60 as well. Shouldn't be too hard if manufacturers build electric hybrids like this and the "test" is similarly ludicrous!!! Most petrolheads will just switch the systems off! Explains why the Porsche 918 Spyder, McLaren P1, LaFerrari etc are all pushing hybrid technology.

 

[Charles Morgan]

It'll be interesting to see how Range Rover and Rolls Royce deal with it, that's if it ever happens of course.

Rolls Royce is part of BMW for the calculations so they should be fine, ditto Bentley.

I think the small manufacturers pay the fines, Aston's example of making the Cygnet being an example not yet copied.

As to petrol duties and VED, the 106 mpg car is going to require some considerable re-thinking. If they wanted to keep petrol duty revenue the same, the implications for older less fuel efficient cars don't bear thinking about!