Car manufacturers do not misrepresent fuel consumption figures – EU directive defines the measuring of emissions and fuel consumption

On 23 February 2013, Helsingin Sanomat presented harsh criticism against the reported emissions and fuel consumption figures of cars. According to Helsingin Sanomat, the greenwashing began in earnest two years ago, when Finland adopted a vehicle tax based on CO₂ emissions. Of the 80 million cars manufactured globally each year, about 100,000 are sold in Finland. It is a rather peculiar idea that the global automotive industry would misrepresent consumption and emissions figures because of changes in vehicle taxation in Finland.

Fuel consumption and emissions figures are based on separate EU directives that define standardized laboratory tests, which are required for the EC type-approval of the car. In the tests, car manufacturers are allowed to define the drag and rolling resistance within the limits defined in the directive.

These EU fuel consumption figures stated in the technical information of each motor vehicle represent the only official and commensurate basis for comparing car models and versions. The measurement is based on EC 2000 (European Driving Cycle), which provides urban, extra-urban and EU combined fuel consumption figures.

This means that the emissions and fuel consumption figures used for the car and also as a basis of taxation in Finland are not based tests carried out by the car manufacturer. The same tests apply to all cars and manufacturers. The type-approval authority supervises the conformity of production, which means that the fuel consumption of a motor vehicle in production cannot differ from that of the vehicle tested under the directive.

The fuel consumption figures reported in the tests of car magazines often differ from EU fuel consumption figures. It is worth noting that test fuel consumption and fuel consumption tests are two different things. The most important reason behind differences between the test fuel consumption figures and the EU fuel consumption figures is that the test fuel consumption of car magazines contain a great deal of testing of practical driving conditions and performance, which in the EU testing method has been standardized or does not exist at all.

In the 63 fuel consumption tests carried out by the German magazine Auto, Motor und Sport in 2011–2012 (# 25/2011-2/2012), more than half of the cars tested either were under or met the EU-type approval figures.

The fuel consumption figures stated by the manufacturer can be achieved through economical driving and with a combination of urban and extra-urban driving in the ratio specified in the directive. The manufacturer’s figures represent the achievable minimum consumption. The results are determined between the steering wheel and the seat.

For more information, please contact:

Tero Kallio, Managing Director, Association of Automobile Importers in Finland, tel. 040 729 4513