What is the difference between WLTC fuel consumption and NEDC fuel consumption?

[EdenLynn]

The difference between WLTC fuel consumption and NEDC fuel consumption lies in the distinction between laboratory fuel consumption and actual fuel consumption. Laboratory fuel consumption: NEDC is closer to laboratory fuel consumption. The NEDC cycle involves periodic acceleration and deceleration, which does not effectively reflect the varying speeds encountered on roads with different levels of congestion. The amount of fuel consumed cannot be accurately recorded, presenting certain difficulties and resulting in relatively large errors, only approximating experimental fuel consumption. Actual fuel consumption: WLTC, on the other hand, is closer to actual fuel consumption. In addition to eliminating periodic acceleration and deceleration, compared to the NEDC testing system, the WLTC cycle extends the test duration from 1180s to 1800s, significantly improving the cycle. The average test speed has also changed considerably, increasing from 34km/h to 46km/h. Through testing records, it represents the actual fuel consumption.

[AriannaRose]

I have compared WLTC and NEDC fuel consumption values multiple times when purchasing a car and during daily driving. NEDC is an outdated European standard with idealized testing conditions, such as more constant speed driving and air conditioning turned off, so the values are usually lower, appearing more fuel-efficient but with a significant gap in real-world driving. On the other hand, WLTC is the new global unified standard, simulating real driving scenarios, including urban congestion and high-speed variations, with longer and more dynamic testing, making the values closer to actual experience—typically about 10% higher than NEDC. Nowadays, I prioritize WLTC when selecting or evaluating a car because it is more reliable and helps avoid being misled by outdated figures. While actual fuel consumption is greatly influenced by driving habits, referring to WLTC can reduce the sense of discrepancy and aid in making more informed decisions.

[SanAvery]

As an automotive enthusiast, I often delve into the details of different testing standards. NEDC is an outdated European test that simplifies acceleration and deceleration processes, resulting in unrealistically low fuel consumption figures. WLTC, on the other hand, integrates global driving condition data with more dynamic segments, delivering more accurate and credible results. New vehicle specifications often show higher WLTC values, but these reflect real-world performance rather than laboratory-optimized numbers. I believe this difference is significant - WLTC promotes fair comparisons and prevents consumers from being misled by inflated data, proving especially reliable for long-distance driving. Comparing these two standards is a crucial step when purchasing a car, and I recommend paying more attention to WLTC values to balance expectations with actual operating costs.

[ManuelLynn]

As an ordinary driver, let me explain simply. NEDC fuel consumption is the old testing method with lenient conditions, resulting in lower and less realistic numbers. WLTC is the new standard that simulates more real-world scenarios like frequent starts and stops, so the values are higher but more accurate. In actual driving, WLTC will disappoint you less. I suggest directly referring to WLTC for fuel consumption budgeting and not wasting effort on NEDC.