Vehicle Emissions and Energy Economy testing standard

New Zealand vehicle emissions and energy economy data is based on the newer international vehicle emissions and energy economy testing standard – the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Testing Procedure (WLTP).  

WLTP replaced the longstanding NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) and similar testing standards in 2021. 

About the testing standard

The WLTP is a worldwide standard for testing energy economy and CO2 emissions of passenger and light commercial vehicles, it also tests the range of electric vehicles. It is a standardised laboratory test based on real driving data and a modified test cycle with strict specifications to provide a robust basis for calculating vehicle efficiency. 

The WLTP does not necessarily represent the actual emissions and energy economy an individual driver will achieve. Actual fuel economy may vary due to many factors, including individual driving styles, traffic and weather conditions, vehicle loading, vehicle maintenance and tyre pressures.  

Key features of the testing standard 

• Wide range of driving — reflects typical daily driving from congested city traffic to higher speed motorway driving. 
• Actual driving conditions — allowing consumers to directly compare the emissions and energy economy of different vehicle makes and models.  
• Dynamic test cycle — the test uses a  route and driving cycle that includes roughly half simulated urban driving and half extra-urban. 
• Four speed phases — covering low (up to 60 km/h), medium (up to 80km/h), high (up to 100 km/h) and extra high (over 130km/h).  The extra high-speed phase is excluded in New Zealand as it is not relevant to local driving. 
• Vehicle model specific results — it accounts for models with different options — for example, larger wheels and tyres, sunroofs and body kits can all have an effect on energy economy. 
• Realistic driving behaviour — varying gearshift points with braking, stopping, and acceleration that better reflect normal driving.