WLTP
WLTP provides fairer consumption and emission values
The Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) is used to measure vehicles' fuel consumption and electric range, as well as CO2 and pollutant emissions. Developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), it replaced the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) to better align lab test results with realistic vehicle usage. Given the importance of CO2 targets for the economic performance of vehicle manufacturers, WLTP creates an equal playing field for test procedures worldwide.
CO2 measurements from the WLTP tests are included in the vehicle's Certificate of Conformity and are used to audit manufacturers' compliance with CO2 targets. In many countries, these results are also considered for car registration and ownership taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions on WLTP
For passenger cars and N1-I light commercial vehicles, all new models have had to be WLTP compliant since September 2017, and all newly registered vehicles compliant since September 2018. For N1-II and N2 category LCVs, new models have had to be compliant with WLTP since September 2018, and all newly registered vehicles compliant since September 2019. Vehicles registered before September 2017 are unaffected by the introduction of WLTP.
All UNECE members (EU-27, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland/Lichtenstein, Turkey, Israel, and the UK) have implemented WLTP procedures.
The lab testing conditions that were updated included running more test cycles, for longer, with faster average and highest speeds.
Under WLTP, a car's average CO2 emission values are often higher than NEDC. For any business with a CO2 limit on their car policy, this means some models of vehicle no longer fall within acceptable limits, or that the car policy will need updating to reflect WLTP results. As vehicle tax in the UK is calculated using WLTP values, your costs may rise to reflect the higher CO2 emission levels recorded by WLTP.
Our expert team continue to provide industry expertise, including local and national legislation and taxation changes. With our Whole Life Costs approach to fleet mobility, we'll take the tax impacts of WLTP into account when discussing vehicle selection with you. Your dedicated Alphabet Account Manager is also ready to support you in reviewing your company's car policy if required.
