1
NEWS
Mercedes-Benz censured for fuel usage cheating
European study quantifies cost of 'excess' fuel over a lifetime of ownershipThe difference between the official fuel consumption of your Mercedes-Benz and what it will achieve in the real world could be as high as 40 per cent, according to a study by a lobby group named Transport & Environment.
As reported by Automotive News Europe, the 'Mind the Gap' study has found that official fuel consumption figures for Mercedes-Benz vehicles are much lower than consumers' real-world experience. But Benz is not by any means alone in engineering and preparing cars specifically to achieve a pre-ordained test figure that cannot be reproduced on the streets and highways of Europe.
On average, that additional cost borne by the owner to refuel the car could be as much as €500 extra a year (AUD $720). That translates to €5600 (AUD $8066) over the life of the vehicle, the study's authors say.
The study indicates that strategies and tactics to pass fuel consumption tests with flying colours are nothing new, but the trend is gradually worsening.
"The gap between real-world fuel economy and distorted official test results has become a chasm. The current test has been utterly discredited by carmakers manipulating official test results," Greg Archer, clean vehicles manager at Transport & Environment was quoted saying in the report.
In 2001, the report indicates, the difference in claimed versus real-life fuel consumption figures was eight per cent, but by last year that difference had grown to 31 per cent. For all the work GM's European brands – Opel and Vauxhall – have undertaken to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, less than 20 per cent of the official improvement is realised by owners on the road.
Two months ago, Johannes Reifenrath, head of product strategy and planning at Mercedes-Benz Cars, did acknowledge the dichotomy of published fuel consumption figures and the owner experience. But the Benz exec also placed some blame on owners' driving techniques.
"This deviation does indeed exist but what is also correct is that the driver has a massive impact on real-life consumption with independent studies indicating a factor of 30 percent," Automotive News reported Reifenrath saying.
"The testing procedures are not determined by the automakers, but by the lawmakers. The EU Commission defines the rules that we have to play by. One thing is certain: It is incredibly important to us at Mercedes to ensure the gap between standard and real-life consumption is as small as possible."
For Opel and Vauxhall cars, less than 20 percent of the measured improvement in the past five years has actually been delivered on the road, according to the lobby group. At the other end of the scale, PSA Peugeot Citroen is cited by the study as one company 'safely on target' to meet 2015 emissions legislation in Europe – without 'test flexibilities'.
Transport & Environment has called for backing for a new testing regime, World Light Duty Test Cycle and Procedures – WLTC/P – set to be promulgated by the United Nationals Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) around the second quarter of next year.
According to the lobby group, the new test regime will better reflect real-world driving (including differing techniques) in its assessment of each vehicle's fuel consumption. The NEDC system it will succeed – if the European Parliament has its way – is based on a procedure that dates back 30 years, and is no longer relevant, Transport & Environment argues.
How the car companies beat the test
Transport & Environment, in the 2014 Mind the Gap study, name numerous tactics the auto manufacturers use to achieve the optimum fuel consumption figure – a figure consumers are rarely likely to see on the road.
We've listed them below.
Laboratory
Disconnect alternator,
Use special lubricants,
Optimise engine management,
Use higher gears more often,
Optimise ambient conditions,
Program rolling road for minimum weight/inertia,
Make adjustments to date based on test 'tolerances'
Road
Alter wheel alignment to reduce rolling resistance,
Fit special tyres with lower rolling resistance,
Over-inflate tyres,
Tape over cosmetic fixtures to reduce aerodynamic drag,
Push brake pads fully back into callipers to reduce rolling resistance
Share this article
Written byCarsales Staff
See all articlesOur team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Stay up to dateBecome a carsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Subscribe todaySell your car with Instant Offer™
Like trade-in but price is regularly higher
1. Get a free Instant Offer™ online in minutes2. An official local dealer will inspect your car3. Finalise the details and get paid the next business day
Get a free Instant Offer
Disclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Love every move.
Buy it. Sell it.Love it.
®Contact
Advertise with us
Local marketplaces
International marketplaces
Scan to download the carsales app
Want more info? Here’s our app landing page
App Store and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo
are trademarks of Google LLC.