Skip advert
Advertisement

Gap between official and real-world fuel economy grows to 42 per cent

Fresh research reveals average gap between quoted and real-world fuel consumption has risen from nine per cent in 2001 to 42 per cent today

real world and official fuel economy gap grows

The average gap between a car’s official fuel economy figures and those obtained in real-world driving conditions has leapt to 42 per cent, new research has found. 

The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) analysed data from over a million vehicles in eight European countries, including the UK, to reach its findings. The latest 42 per cent discrepancy follows 2013 data that found a 25 per cent average gap between advertised and real-world economy in 2013; back in 2001, the discrepancy was just nine per cent. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Privately-owned cars fared slightly better than company cars, with the former posting an average 39 per cent discrepancy and the latter a 45 per cent difference between official and achieved economy. The ICCT estimates consumers pay £350 extra a year for fuel as a result of these differences. 

These figures may well improve in the future, however, thanks to the introduction of a new WLTP testing procedure for economy and emissions. This new regime was introduced in September 2017 and will become mandatory for all new cars from September 2018. The WLTP procedure replaces the outgoing NEDC assessment programme, which saw cars tested for just 20 minutes in order to ascertain emissions and fuel economy. 

Despite the new testing regime, the ICCT says more may need to be done to address the cap between official and reported economy, as the new WLTP programme: “contains new loopholes that could permit the performance gap to increase again.”

Do you think a 42 per cent difference between quoted and real-world fuel economy figures is acceptable? Let us know below...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering
Opinion - Shanghai Auto Show

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering

This new brand of cars might have battery tech on their side, but European buyers want much more than that
Opinion
25 Apr 2025
New electric car MoT tests could be coming to the UK
Tesla Model X on two-post inspection ramp

New electric car MoT tests could be coming to the UK

New technology and driver assistance systems require changes to annual testing, says EC
News
25 Apr 2025
Buying a modern used car for under £10k is almost impossible
Opinion - £10k used cars

Buying a modern used car for under £10k is almost impossible

Phil McNamara discovers that it’s harder than ever to find a good-value car at the affordable end of the market
Opinion
24 Apr 2025