The European Union plans to make the testing method for determining the emissions of plug-in hybrids stricter. That’s what two insiders say to the news agency Reuters. In doing so, the EU is responding to criticism that plug-in hybrids produce results with the current test method that are sometimes up to four times lower than the actual emissions in practice. This decision could lead manufacturers to miss their CO2 targets in the future.
According to the sources, the modified test method seems to use the practical data from the consumption meters in the on-board computers of cars. The modified test is said to go into effect sometime around 2025. A European Commission official said a proposed amendment to the Euro 6 emissions standard is currently on the table to that effect. In it, the ‘utility factor’ of a plug-in hybrid, how far it can go on electricity, is based on data from the consumption meters. However, the official in question was unable to provide details. ACEA industry association reports to Reuters that people will already start collecting data from practice.
The changed test method should ultimately ensure that the results on paper better reflect reality. With plug-in hybrids, the emissions are strongly dependent on the distances the car is driven and the extent to which its owner is loyal to the charger. The current WLTP test method already makes more use of data from practice than before, but in the end the plug-in hybrids often come out a lot rosier than they actually are. Ultimately, it remains to be seen to what extent manufacturers can continue to use them to achieve their CO2 targets on paper, since the emissions of plug-in hybrids could be considerably higher with the proposed change in the test method.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl