What does WLTC fuel consumption mean?
2 Answers
WLTC fuel consumption refers to the comprehensive cycle fuel consumption value measured under the WLTP test procedure for pure fuel or hybrid light-duty vehicles. Meaning of WLTC: WLTC is the English abbreviation for the test standard of the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP), formulated by the United Nations and introduced in 2017. Simply put, NEDC is closer to laboratory fuel consumption, while WLTC is closer to actual fuel consumption. WLTC comprehensive fuel consumption: It refers to the comprehensive cycle fuel consumption value measured under the WLTP test procedure for pure fuel or hybrid light-duty vehicles, which helps consumers objectively understand and compare the fuel economy levels of different vehicles. WLTC comprehensive fuel consumption will gradually replace the NEDC fuel consumption that was widely adopted by countries around the world in the past.
The WLTC fuel consumption is the official test value displayed on the car's label. After years of driving, I always felt it was lower than the actual fuel consumption. However, upon learning more, I discovered that it's derived from a globally unified standard test, simulating various road conditions like urban and highway driving, making it more realistic than the old NEDC standard. Why is it important? Because it prevents car manufacturers from cheating, allowing consumers to make more reliable comparisons when choosing a car. For example, the SUV I bought is labeled with a WLTC rating of 7 liters per 100 km, but in city driving, it might jump to 10 liters. My advice is to check the data of different models before buying—don’t just trust the label. Combining it with your personal driving conditions can help save fuel and money. By the way, many countries now use it as the basis for emission certification, which helps drive the automotive industry toward energy efficiency and environmental protection. Even us ordinary drivers can contribute a bit to the planet.
