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
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Hot Land Rover Defender Octa in high demand with close to 3,000 orders at £150,000 each
Land Rover Defender Octa - front action

Hot Land Rover Defender Octa in high demand with close to 3,000 orders at £150,000 each

Buyers aren’t being deterred by the hefty asking price for the most powerful Defender yet, with 2,900 already signing up worldwide
News
12 Nov 2024
Mazda CX-60 is now more comfortable thanks to 2025 updates
Mazda CX-60 - front 3/4 static

Mazda CX-60 is now more comfortable thanks to 2025 updates

Mazda’s SUV has picked up some worthy trim and technical updates
News
13 Nov 2024
Dacia Duster vs MG ZS: which is the best budget hybrid SUV?
Dacia Duster and MG ZS - front tracking

Dacia Duster vs MG ZS: which is the best budget hybrid SUV?

The new Dacia Duster and MG ZS are the UK’s cheapest small SUVs. Which makes more sense in hybrid form?
Car group tests
13 Nov 2024