Skip to main content

Automotive OEMs standardise testing to comply with RDE deadlines, say researchers

Following 'dieselgate', the previously lax automobile emission testing procedures tightened and all European original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are now required to implement real driving emissions (RDE). In September, RDE testing will have a conformity factor of 2.1, which will change to 1.5 by September 2021. OEMs will be more transparent with their testing methods and results. After the implementation of RDE, adoption of World Harmonisation Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) will be simpler. The
February 15, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Following 'dieselgate', the previously lax automobile emission testing procedures tightened and all European original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are now required to implement real driving emissions (RDE). In September, RDE testing will have a conformity factor of 2.1, which will change to 1.5 by September 2021. OEMs will be more transparent with their testing methods and results. After the implementation of RDE, adoption of World Harmonisation Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) will be simpler.

The European Union is currently focused on standardising testing procedures globally. Testing procedures such as RDE, WLTP and New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) will help the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) regulate and lower emission levels for all OEMs in highly urbanised areas.

“Shifting from NEDC to RDE is a critical step as real driving conditions will have a greater impact on powertrain technologies,” said 2097 Frost & Sullivan mobility research analyst Arvind Noel Xavier Leo. “OEMs will have to look at alternative technologies as well as optimise existing technologies to meet the requirements of the RDE testing procedure.”

The research by Frost & Sullivan, Executive Analysis of Real Driving Emissions (RDE) and their Implementation, finds that the RDE phase-in and NEDC-WLTP dual testing will be implemented by 2017 in the EU, while markets such as California and China with strict emission regulations will adopt WLTP/RDE only after its implementation in Europe. Related topics in this subscription include WLTP, LED PMA policy, powertrain and EV, hybrid-electric truck and bus, and e-hailing.

One of the biggest challenges in the shift towards advanced powertrain technologies is the high costs. The shift is also a test of technical service providers' capability to adjust to the changes; service providers such as AVL, Ricardo, Continental, ICCT and Bosch have been enhancing their technologies to examine and certify OEMs' vehicles, developing low production cost technologies.

“OEMs are investing heavily in developing low production cost technologies to be implemented in their fleet. Adopting WLTP/RDE will drive improvements such as downsizing, multiple boosting systems, direct injection engines, hybridisation and exhaust systems,” noted Leo. “OEMs will look to optimize these technologies to obtain uncompromised results in RDE.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • 39 million micro-hybrids by 2017
    March 14, 2012
    Micro-hybrids will grow nearly eight-fold to 39 million vehicles in 2017 and create a $6.9 billion market for energy storage devices as the fuel-saving alternative technology finds ready adoption, driven by stricter emission standards.
  • New ticket purchase methods expected to drive advance of US public transit
    April 2, 2015
    New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Strategic Analysis of the US Automated Fare Collection Market in Rail and Urban Transit Systems, finds that the market earned revenues of US$324.5 million in 2014 and estimates this to reach US$634.8 million by 2021. The rising cost of fare management, coupled with the increasing presence of computing, sensors and connected devices, have made public transit systems more accessible to end users, thus boosting interest in automated fare collection (AFC) systems. With 33
  • Corporate car sharing fleets set to reach 85,000 vehicles in 2020
    February 24, 2014
    A recent analysis from Frost & Sullivan estimates the number of vehicles in car sharing fleets to stand at around 2,000 in 2013 and forecasts that by 2020 there could be between 75,000 and 100,000 of such vehicles in operation, as providers such as OEMs, leasing arms, rental companies, car sharing organisations (CSOs) and technology providers continually enter the market and expand geographically with competing solutions. With more than half of European automobile sales now accounted for by fleet sales, set
  • Automotive navigation market to grow due to focus on autonomous cars, says report
    September 30, 2015
    The market for automotive navigation software, data, and location-based services is shifting as OEMs focus on bringing a mix of connected navigation experiences for drivers and using location data for ADAS and enabling self-driving cars, according to Strategy Analytics’ latest report. The report, Navigation Market: Maps for Self-Driving Cars Shift Segment's Focus - 2015 Update, features the service's most up-to-date navigation forecast, which is a combined figure that includes shipments of embedded navig