New changes in WLTP legislation come into effect in Germany

WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) remains as one of the most influential concepts within the automotive industry and has started to cause changes in the approach towards emission tests and labeling. WLTP is a harmonised international procedure in cars and light commercial vehicles (LCVs) fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, and pollutant emissions standardised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

First launched in September 2017 as a new standard for measuring cars’ emissions and fuel efficiency, WLTP replaced NEDC, which was widely considered inaccurate. Over the years we have seen WLTP steadily make its way through the market as mandatory and replace older testing processes, and it now offers consumers more information regarding fuel consumption for newly released cars in the EU and globally.

The WLTP test cycle approximates everyday usage more closely in as much as it is characterised by a higher speed, quick acceleration rates, and variable driving profiles. This approach helps to ensure that the WLTP results are real-life test that would assist consumers to compare the performance of a car accurately. Furthermore, WLPT tends to achieve standardisation of testing in different geographical locations, enabling the comparisons of vehicle emission and fuel economy across borders.

New shifts have occurred in Germany in particular, including the modification of the Passenger Car Energy Consumption Labelling Ordinance in February 2024 which has imposed further challenges on automotive retailers. Notably, the changes a round energy consumption and CO 2 emissions labeling with regard to the integration of WLTP figures to improve customer understanding.

For automotive retailers operating in Germany, key changes include:

• Guidelines for online selling: Car label information must be prominently displayed as soon as a prospective buyer configures a specific vehicle online, ensuring consistency with in-person dealership transactions.
• Advertising requirements: All advertisements for new car models, including online platforms, must prominently feature information on energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and the corresponding CO2 class to enhance transparency and consumer awareness.
• Updated car labels: Car labels must now include information on energy consumption and CO2 emissions based on the WLTP standard, providing a more accurate representation of a vehicle’s environmental impact under various driving conditions.
• Clear CO2 classification: The CO2 classification system now relies solely on a vehicle’s CO2 emissions per kilometer, simplifying the classification process and enabling consumers to compare vehicles more easily.
• Display of CO2 costs: Car labels must estimate CO2 costs over a 10-year period, aiding consumers in evaluating long-term environmental and financial implications.
• Different labels for different vehicle types: Five distinct car label designs correspond to the vehicle’s drivetrain and fuel type, facilitating comparison and decision-making for consumers.
• Special requirements for plug-in hybrids: Plug-in hybrid vehicles must display both weighted combined consumption/emissions and those with a discharged battery, addressing the unique nature of these vehicles.

To facilitate full compliance, transitional provisions up to 1st May 2024 are under consideration, so that car dealers, manufacturers and Internet traders have the time necessary for changing labels on cars and headlines of advertisements. At the point of sale, the dealers must display clear car labels on the cars and the notice containing figures for the models being sold should be provided to the consumers available.

These changes represent a clear commitment to increasing transparency, encouraging increased focus on environmental issues, and arming the consumer with as much information as possible available to them when making auto purchase decisions in Germany.