How Representitive of Real Life Driving are the Standard Tests?                                                             Cymraeg

Because of the need to maintain strict comparability of results achieved by the standard tests they cannot be fully representative of real life driving conditions. Firstly, it is obviously not practicable to test each individual new car; thus only one production car is tested as being representative of the model and may therefore produce a better or worse result than another similar vehicle. Secondly, there are infinite variations in driving styles and in road, car and weather conditions, all of which can have a bearing on the results achieved. For these reasons the fuel consumption achieved on the road will not necessarily be the same as the official test results.

WHO DOES THE TESTING?
The testing is carried out either by independent test organisations, by the manufacturers or importers themselves at their own test facilities. Before the results are officially recognised, the DfT:

* inspects the test laboratories and witnesses some tests being carried out; or

* checks that the figures have been certified by a European government under the agreed arrangements for mutual recognition of test results.

ARE ALL MODELS INCLUDED IN THE LIST?

Almost all types of new passenger cars have to be tested. However, several models which do not differ significantly in certain technical characteristics important in determining fuel consumption may be grouped together into a ‘class’. Only one representative car of the class needs to be tested. Certain types of vehicles are excluded from the fuel consumption testing scheme; these are cars manufactured in low volume, cars adapted to carry more than eight passengers (excluding the driver), three-wheelers, invalid carriages, van derived passenger cars and cars built specially for export. These vehicles will not, therefore, be labeled in the showrooms. New cars whose engines run on liquid petroleum gas or compressed natural gas have been required to undergo fuel consumption tests since 1st January 2001. Lorries, buses, vans and motorcycles are also excluded from these tests.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF MANUFACTURERS, IMPORTERS AND DEALERS

EU Directive 1999/94/EC (as amended by 2003/73/EC) requires new car fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions data to be made freely available to consumers. Car dealers are required to have a label showing the fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions of each different model on display, either on or near the vehicle. Fuel consumption figures will be expressed both in litres per 100 kilometres (l/100 km) and in miles per gallon (mpg). The label will list the figures achieved in urban, extra-urban and combined conditions separately (see section headed ‘Fuel Consumption Test’ for more details on test conditions). From July of this year, dealers will have the option to produce a new “comparative” label. The new label will continue to show the mandatory Fuel Consumption and CO₂ figures mentioned previously, alongside information about the appropriate VED band for the vehicle. The new label will be similar in design to the energy efficiency labels that appear on many 'white goods', such as fridge freezers (an example can be seen below). Please note that this new label format is not mandatory and is unlikely to become mandatory in the immediate future.

A sample of the original label is available on the VCA fuel consumption and emission figures website under the download section. A version of the new style label will also shortly be available here. Other labels may be used but they must conform to the requirements outlined in The Passenger Car (Fuel Consumption and CO₂ Emissions Information) Regulations 2001.

Dealers are also required to display a poster – in paper or as an electronic display, in a prominent position, showing the fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions for all new passenger car models displayed, or offered for sale through that particular showroom. In addition to the above, the directive also requires manufacturers to include fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions data in all brochures and printed advertisements, provided that the literature relates to a specific model of car. These requirements were implemented into UK law by The Passenger Car (Fuel Consumption and CO₂ Emissions Information) Regulations 2001, which came into force on the 21st of November 2001. These requirements do not apply in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

PENALTIES

Failure to show fuel consumption labels on new cars on display, or to make available to potential buyers the results of the fuel consumption tests as listed in this booklet, render dealers liable on conviction to a fine of up to £5,000. The same penalty exists for anyone who does not include all the appropriate test results in promotional literature. Trading Standards enforce point of sale information and should be contacted if you have concerns in this area. The Vehicle Certification Agency enforce the provision of information in advertising and promotional literature. If you have concerns in this area please e-mail them to fuel@vca.gov.uk, or telephone 01179 515151.

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