The Volkswagen ‘dieselgate’ scandal, which is ongoing and widening, has eroded consumers’ trust in official figures for fuel consumption and emissions. So it’s pretty opportunistic of PSA Peugeot Citroen to now announce that it will start to publish real-world numbers, as opposed to results from controlled environment lab testing.
The French company says that in order to continuously improve fuel economy info in the interest of customers, it will work together with the NGO Transport & Environment (T&E) to measure and publicise real-world fuel economy figures as a first step by spring 2016, and pollutant levels including nitrogen oxides (NOx) as a second step by spring 2017.
The procedure will measure real-world fuel economy for each of PSA’s main passenger vehicle models with tests on open public roads near Paris in real driving conditions, with segments to include urban, extra-urban and highway driving.
Results will be audited and validated by an internationally recognised independent third party, and discussions are underway with Bureau Veritas – a firm that provides testing, inspection and certification services – concerning the execution of the programme.
“This innovative initiative is a clear demonstration that a carmaker and independent NGOs can reach agreement for the benefit of customer information. This will also highlight the advanced technologies that PSA Peugeot Citroen is developing to contribute to fuel efficiency,” said Carlos Tavares, chairman of the managing board of PSA.
Jos Dings, director at T&E, said: “Real world measurements of CO2 emissions and fuel economy will help drivers choose the most efficient models benefiting consumers, public health and the environment. We are confident that the work we plan to undertake with PSA can generate transparent robust results that everyone can rely on.”
Last month, PSA reiterated that none of its vehicles have ever been fitted with any software or device to dupe emissions tests. The group said that to ensure compliance, 4,300 vehicles were selected at random off its production lines in 2014 for verification with type approval.
PSA also proclaimed that its BlueHDi Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), fitted in all of the company’s diesel Euro 6 passenger vehicles, is the most effective NOx treatment technology.
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If conducting real world testing, believe many companies would fail the emission standard.
Bureau Veritas is already here in Malaysia, providing certification services for the logistics industry. Maybe Proton and Perodua would do the same, run real world test around KL urban locations and engage them to validate the consumption figures.
Currently, all the FC figures published by carmakers overshoot by 20-30% from the real world figures.
Usually FC figure based on constant 90km/h drive or standard like JC08, not real world. Japs car is not that save and p1 is not fuel guzzler. Go figure.
that’s the problem when people compare 1.6 turbo with 1.5 na engine. they never consider those 205nm or torque vs 140-145nm. of course the turbo thirstier than the na.
great!