Consumption & WLTP

Questions and answers about consumption & wltp

What is WLTP and how reliable is the stated consumption?

WLTP is the European type-approval test that has been mandatory since September 2018 for consumption, CO2 and range. It is a manufacturer figure measured on a rolling road, not a measurement we do ourselves. The test is closer to real-world use than the old NEDC standard, but temperature, speed, load and driving style weigh heavily. See the term explanation at WLTP.

Why am I not reaching the WLTP consumption?

A WLTP figure comes from a fixed speed profile under laboratory conditions. Motorway driving, cold, short trips and a fully loaded car raise consumption. In practice owners typically report more than the manufacturer figure; for petrol and diesel roughly 10 to 25 percent, depending on use. We show the real-world picture through the owner reviews.

Does the WLTP range of an EV differ much from real-world use?

Yes. With electric cars real-world use often deviates further than with combustion cars, especially in cold weather and on the motorway. At sub-zero temperatures owners not uncommonly report 20 to 30 percent less than the WLTP figure. The exact difference depends on model, battery, speed and outside temperature. The range-by-temperature tool shows this as an indication.

What is the difference between NEDC and WLTP?

NEDC is the outdated EU test cycle from before 2018 and structurally more optimistic than WLTP: for consumption the NEDC figure was often 20 to 40 percent below real-world use. Do not compare the two one-to-one. For older reference models we state which test standard a figure belongs to. See NEDC.

Does autoseeker calculate my consumption costs for me?

No. We show consumption figures with source and test standard and let you weigh the numbers yourself. We do not ask for income and do not give tax or financial advice. Our tools are arithmetic and indicative, without a “best choice” outcome.

Which source do you use for consumption and range?

The stated figures come from OEM datasheets and the EU type approval, supplemented with RDW and ADAC data. The real-world picture comes from moderated owner reviews. How we collect and weigh that is set out in the methodology.