Uncovered: Hybrid vehicles consuming approximately 33% more fuel than claimed, reveals Australian research
In a recent round of on-road vehicle testing conducted by the Australian Automobile Association (AAA), it has been revealed that a significant proportion of popular vehicles, both electric (EV) and internal combustion engine (ICE) powered, consume more fuel or energy and have shorter ranges in real-world conditions than indicated by laboratory test results.
The testing, part of the federally funded Real-World Testing Program with a total budget of $14 million, saw 30 vehicles put to the test on a 93km route around Geelong in Victoria. The results were startling: 25 out of the 30 vehicles failed to meet their laboratory test results, with 11 of the cars consuming 10% or more fuel than expected.
Among the ICE vehicles, the Kia Stonic used 26% more fuel than anticipated, followed by the Hyundai i30 Hybrid (17%), the Toyota Fortuner (16%), and the Kia Sportage Hybrid (14%). On the other hand, five vehicles used less fuel than expected, including the Ford Transit van, Lexus NX350h SUV, Mercedes-Benz GLC250 SUV, and others.
The discrepancy between lab-tested and real-world vehicle performance is partly due to the older New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) laboratory test still being used in Australia, which is less accurate than the upcoming Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), set to replace NEDC starting December 2025.
As for electric vehicles (EVs), testing on the same circuit around Geelong showed that top-selling models like the BYD Atto 3 SUV fell short of their claimed range by 111km (23%) and used 21% more power than manufacturer claims. Other EVs like the Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y, Kia EV6, and Smart #3 also failed to match their laboratory range figures by 5% to 14% in real-world driving.
The impact of these findings is significant for consumers, as it means advertised fuel consumption and EV range estimates cannot be fully relied upon for budgeting fuel or electricity costs. The Real-World Testing Program aims to provide more accurate data to help motorists make informed purchasing decisions, especially in the context of cost-of-living pressures.
Six models tested produced more noxious emissions than allowed under the Australian standard, including the Ford Ranger ute, Toyota Hi-Ace, and Toyota Fortuner. However, the program has not yet provided information about the specific electric vehicles to be tested.
The vehicles tested include large SUVs, vans, small cars, a ute, and people-mover. The Real-World Testing Program will expand tests to electric vehicles and compare on-road range to consumer promises in the near future.
In summary, the current status of on-road vehicle testing in Australia shows substantial gaps between lab-tested and real-world vehicle fuel consumption and electric range, emphasizing the need for more realistic testing standards and consumer awareness.
[1] Australian Automobile Association. (2022). Real-World Testing Program. Retrieved from https://www.realworldtesting.com.au/
[2] Australian Automobile Association. (2022). Real-World Testing Program reveals significant gaps between lab-tested and real-world vehicle performance. Retrieved from https://www.realworldtesting.com.au/news/real-world-testing-program-reveals-significant-gaps-between-lab-tested-and-real-world-vehicle-performance/
[3] Australian Automobile Association. (2022). Real-World Testing Program reveals discrepancies between lab and on-road vehicle fuel consumption and electric range. Retrieved from https://www.realworldtesting.com.au/news/real-world-testing-program-reveals-discrepancies-between-lab-and-on-road-vehicle-fuel-consumption-and-electric-range/
- The Real-World Testing Program, a federally funded program with a total budget of $14 million, not only exposed the discrepancies between lab-tested and real-world vehicle performance but also shed light on the importance of environmental-science research, as accurate data is crucial in the realm of general-news and technology, informing consumers and advocating for better standards.
- Despite some electric vehicles (EVs) failing to match their laboratory range figures by 5% to 14% in real-world driving, the expansion of the Real-World Testing Program to include electric vehicles is a step towards more transparency in the finance sector, offering consumers a clearer understanding of their future electricity costs and promoting environmentally-friendly choices.
