Background

EcoTest was developed jointly by ADAC and the FIA Foundation, and has been in use since 2003. It gives a rating for vehicles of various classes and sizes. Within EcoTest we test passenger cars with different levels of engine power 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 more environmentally sound it is, up to a five-star maximum rating.

EcoTest reporting

Reports will be issued twice yearly summarizing the latest developments. The latest results on new models of cars are incorporated into EcoTest continuously. It is intended to provide consumers with additional information on which to base car purchasing decisions. It also notifies car manufacturers of the actual environmental performance of their cars.

Special additional tests and strict standards

EcoTest is based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), the European Union's official fuel consumption test. In addition we also test the environmental performance across a range of different circumstances. Our tests include the ADAC Motorway Cycle, which tests the behaviour of vehicles on a motorway with the air conditioning 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.Some of the standards are more stringent than are required by law, and do not differentiate between emission levels for petrol and diesel cars, even though different standards apply in law. Further details can be found in the FAQs section.

Keystory 2007

Diesel technology first of all starts to get on the overtaking lane for EcoTest thanks to diesel particulate filters. Latest findings of the ADAC EcoTest demonstrate, that often criticised diesel technology proofs capability to achieve comparable ratings like cars with hybrid technology.

4-star EcoTest ratings for the first time ever are the excellent results for many diesel engines with diesel particulate filter (DPF), considering today’s circumstances. Nearby all vehicle classes represent newly tested “4-star-diesel cars”, from luxury class (Mercedes S 320 CDI 7G-Tronic), executive class (Saab 9-5 SportCombi 1.9 TiD Vector (DPF), Audi A6 2.0 TDI (DPF), Mercedes E 220 CDI Elegance Automatic (DPF)), family class (Skoda Octavia Combi RS TDI (DPF), BMW 318d (DPF), Lexus IS 220d Luxury (DPF), Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon 1.9 JTDM 16V Distinctive (DPF), Renault Laguna Grandtour 2.0 dCi FAP Initiale) to small family class (Peugeot 307 Break HDi FAP 90 Tendance).

ADAC invites all manufacturers to enter the eco-contest to launch more 4-star cars with diesel, petrol and natural gas engines. The target must be the development of a 5-star EcoTest car. For this purpose the following steps will be necessary:

Another reduction in fuel consumption for driving operation and for other consumers (e.g. air-conditioner).
Reduction of NOx-emissions from diesel engines with combined exhaust systems for NOx- and diesel particulate reductions.
Complete prevention of fuel enrichments under full load driving conditions for spark-ignited engines for power enhancement.

Volkswagen offers among the five best cars currently in EcoTest („Top 5“) a petrol direct injection engine and a diesel engine with diesel particulate filter for the Skoda Octavia two cars. The “Top 5” are shared with a natural gas vehicle from Volvo (V70) and the well known hybrid cars of the Japanese manufacturers Toyota and Honda.

November 2007 Test Report(PDF)

What is EcoTest?

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 CO2 in standardised driving cycles, but 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/tests or www.ecotest.eu. Manufacturers can utilise the results for information or sales promotion.