EcoTest
test procedure
The
test procedure jointly developed by ADAC and the FIA Foundation has been used
since 2003. In EcoTest, ADAC has been testing the environmental soundness of
numerous vehicles of various classes and sizes (Vehicle
classes).
Protecting the environment one star
at a time
Within
EcoTest we test passenger cars with different drive-trains on the basis of a
special
measurement and
rating protocol.
Our testing clearly exceeds legal requirements and provides independent results.
The more stars a vehicle wins, the more environmentally sound it is. The scoring
system allows for a five-star maximum rating.
Special
additional tests and strict standards
EcoTest
is based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC),
a prerequisite for type approval in the EU. In addition, we also test the
environmental performance in more diverse cycles. Our tests include the ADAC
Motorway Cycle, testing the behaviour of vehicles on a motorway with
the air condition on, as well as the warm engine NEDC with the air condition on.
EcoTest rates pollutant
emissions (carbon monoxide CO, hydrocarbons HC, nitrogen oxides NOx, particulate
matter) and the emissions of the greenhouse gas
carbon monoxide CO2. Some of the standards are more stringent than
required by law. Whereas by law there are different emission levels for petrol
and diesel cars, under EcoTest the same levels apply for all drive-train types.