What is EcoTest?
How were the tested cars selected?
How are the star ratings awarded?
Why are the tests carried out with additional cycles and also including air conditioning?
Why do the Petrol cars already gain very good ratings for pollution?
Why don’t all Petrol cars which fulfil Euro 4 regulations gain 45-50 points in the pollution rating?
Which are the best performing cars in EcoTest?
How do Diesel cars rate?
How do Gas propelled cars perform?
How do Hybrid cars perform?
What is EcoTest?
About EcoTest
The test, which was developed jointly by ADAC and the FIA Foundation, has been used since 2003, and gives a rating for vehicles of various classes and sizes (Vehicle classes). The objective of the test is to provide consumers with additional information on which to base car purchase decisions. It also notifies car manufacturers of the actual environmental performance of their products.
Over 100 cars go through EcoTest every year. They are made up of popular models and those which are intended to be environmentally friendly. The web-site is updated regularly to ensure that information is fresh and relevant. Individuals can search for results by type of car, class of car, or examine all of the results together. FIA Foundation publishes regular reports on the EcoTest results, in order to draw key emerging trends to the media, consumers, manufacturers and policymakers.
Protecting the environment one star at a time
Within EcoTest we test a range of passenger cars on the basis of a special measurement and rating protocol. Our testing exceeds legal requirements and provides independent results. The more stars a vehicle wins, the better its environmental performance, up to a five-star maximum rating.
Special additional tests and strict standards
EcoTest is based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), the European Union’s official test cycle. In addition we also test the environmental performance of each vehicle across a range of other common circumstances. For example, our tests include the ADAC Motorway Cycle, which tests the behaviour of vehicles on a motorway with the air conditioning switched on. We also use the warm engine NEDC with the air conditioning on.
EcoTest rates pollutant emissions (carbon monoxide CO, hydrocarbons HC, nitrogen oxides NOx, particulate matter) and the emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide CO2. It is the only test on vehicles available for sale in the European market, which covers both pollutants and CO2 emissions.
So our tests go beyond the standards that are required by law. And, although we clearly identify which cars are diesel and which petrol when publishing our results, we do not differentiate between required emission levels for petrol and diesel cars, even though different standards apply in law.
EcoTest is the only rating for consumers which offers an integrated assessment of a cars’ driving operation including real world load cycles. Consumers can trust that not only CO2 in standardised driving cycles, but also all limited exhaust emissions, influences of mobile air-conditioners and the driving behaviour under full load conditions is judged. The outcome is a simple and comprehensible rating with 1 to 5 stars for each car, allocated under www.adac.de/ecotest or www.ecotest.eu. Manufacturers can utilise the results for information or sales promotion.
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How were the tested cars selected?
In order to be as representative as possible, a cross section of the European market of passenger cars are selected for testing.
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How are the star ratings awarded?
The EcoTest assesses the emissions of pollutants ( Hydrocarbons, Nitrogen Oxide, Carbon Monoxide, and Particulate Matter) and the emission of the green house gas Carbon Dioxide. The EcoTest star rating is calculated by rating pollutants and CO2.The assessment of the pollution is based on a vehicle class and technology independent rating system. The cleanest cars can achieve a maximum of 50 points in pollution rating. Reflecting the personal demands of the consumers the CO2 emissions are assessed according to a vehicle class dependent system. The goal of the EcoTest is to support the consumer with helpful information, not to bother him with the simple information, not to bother him with the simple information that big cars emit more CO2 and consume more fuel, respectively, than small ones.
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Why are the tests carried out with additional cycles and also including air conditioning?
The New European Driving Cycle represents real life only to a certain extent. In order to more closely replicate the way cars are driven by consumers we decided to introduce a motorway cycle and also to test the cars with air conditioning in a setting which is relevant to real life vehicle performance.
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Why do the Petrol cars already gain very good ratings for pollution?
It is generally agreed that exhaust emissions meeting Euro 4 Petrol regulations are sufficient to guarantee good air quality. Policymakers agree that the priorities now are to reduce diesel emissions to the level of Euro 4 Petrol and to reduce CO2 emissions. This is therefore the challenge for future engine development.
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Why don’t all Petrol cars which fulfil Euro 4 regulations gain 45-50 points in the pollution rating?
The Euro 4 regulations are based on the New European Driving Cycle. The EcoTest goes beyond that test and takes measurements with air conditioning on and on a motorway cycle.
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Which are the best performing cars in EcoTest?
It has taken five years for the Toyota Prius to be beaten in Ecotest. The new ‘Front-Runner’ is now the VW Passat 1.4 TSI EcoFuel, which scored 92 points when it was tested earlier this year (2009). Other manufacturers must take note, and aim even higher if they want to take this crown. In general, petrol cars gain good ratings for pollution, while the diesel cars have advantages with CO2.
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How do Diesel cars rate?
The obvious diesel problems are still Nitrogen Oxide emissions. However, although the diesel rating of pollution is poor compared to Otto engines, the latest steps in diesel technology (particle filters, NOx catalyst, Euro 4 emission legislation) showed substantial improvements. The clear advantage of Diesel cars are the lower CO2 emissions compared to petrol propelled vehicles.
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How do gas propelled cars perform?
Most Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) vehicles can be driven with gas as well as with conventional petrol. Thus they are measured with both fuels in the EcoTest gaining different results. Using gas they usually perform significantly better than combusting petrol. In particular, the CO2 emissions are lower, and the pollution rating is better.
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How do hybrid cars perform?
The Honda Civic IMA is in the top range. Another new car with hybrid technology is the Lexus RX 400h, an executive class SUV, which outperforms the comparable Lexus RX 300 with conventional petrol engine and less engine power as well as the competing SUVs with diesel or other petrol engines (BMW X5, Kia Sorento, Mercedes ML and VW Touareg). So hybrid technology is already showing its advantages in different segments.
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