The Australian Automobile Association’s (AAA) Real-World Testing Program (RWTP) continues to shed light on the fuel consumption and emissions of popular vehicles.
With its latest batch of results, the RWTP aims to provide Australian motorists with vital information on how their vehicles perform in real-world conditions, helping them make more informed choices on vehicle costs and environmental impact.
The latest data released further underscores the gap between lab results and real-world performance. The program has now tested 70 of Australia’s most popular vehicles, with over 50 showing higher fuel consumption on the road than indicated by their lab tests, and 17 exceeding emissions limits set by current Australian regulations.
One of the standout findings from the fifth batch of results is that two out of 12 vehicles consumed 32% more fuel in real-world conditions than reported on the mandatory lab tests displayed on windshield stickers.
The GWM Haval Jolion Hybrid and Chery Omoda 5 both consumed more fuel than expected, recording 6.6L/100km and 9.1L/100km in real-world driving, compared to their lab-tested results of 5.0L/100km and 6.9L/100km, respectively.
A further eight vehicles consumed between 5% and 21% more fuel, and three produced noxious emissions beyond current or future Australian regulatory limits.
Simon Matthias, CEO of AANT, emphasises the need for transparency:
“Buying a new car is a significant investment, and Territorians deserve to know how their vehicle will perform in real-world conditions. Discrepancies between lab results and real-world fuel consumption have a direct impact on household budgets at a time when every dollar counts.”
AAA Managing Director Michael Bradley echoed this sentiment, noting the importance of real-world testing in giving consumers accurate information.
“Without real-world testing results, consumers and fleet buyers could find themselves buying a vehicle that is dirtier and has higher running costs than they might have expected.’’
The AAA’s Real-World Testing Program recently earned international recognition, receiving the 2024 Empowering Cleaner Choice innovation award from the Federation Internationale de l’ Automobile (FIA). The award recognised the program for providing motorists with unprecedented access to information that helps them make more informed vehicle choices, save money, and reduce environmental impact.
Looking ahead, the AAA is preparing to expand its testing to include electric vehicles, marking a significant step forward in assessing the performance of various vehicle types in real-world Australian conditions. Testing will continue to be conducted in and around Geelong, Victoria, with strict protocols ensuring consistency and minimizing human factors like driving style or traffic fluctuations.
For more information, visit AAA Real-World Testing Program.
Disclaimers
1. The Real World Testing of vehicles (Program) has been developed in conjunction with the Australian Commonwealth Government.
2. Vehicles have been tested against the same testing protocol for consistency and transparency.
3. The Program seeks to test the emissions a vehicle produces in a real world environment.
4. The comparative figures refer to the laboratory testing a vehicle undergoes prior to release on the Australian market.
5. Vehicle manufactures have been consulted prior to the publication of any vehicle testing results.
6. Information provided on any Australian Automobile Association (AAA) ACN 008 526 369 (AAA) website, media release, publication, social media platform and/or application (Medium/s) is for information purposes only.
7. The information provided via the Mediums are correct as at the time of publication only. The AAA does not warrant the currency or accuracy of the information thereafter.
8. AAA will not be responsible for any claims, damages, costs or losses following any reliance placed on any information provided via the Mediums.
9. It is your responsibility to ensure that any information provided via the Mediums are relevant and appropriate to you.
