Are You WLTP Ready?
With so much in flux at the moment, it’s becoming difficult to keep up with those changes that have the potential to have a material effect on our lives. Take the snappily titled: Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), for example. It sounds like another industry term about which clients and consumers need not concern themselves. However, this is one of those background changes that you could easily overlook, but it’s an amendment that the logistics sector needs to understand and prepare for.
What
Is The WLTP?
The
WLTP will replace the current New European Driving Cycle (NEDC)
ratings by 6th
April 2020. Both the NEDC and WLTP are EU standards used to test the
fuel efficiency and C02 emissions of vehicles sold in Europe. Readers
will be familiar with terms like “urban”, “extra-urban” and
“combined” to describe fuel efficiency but may not know these are
part of the NEDC testing standard.
The
WLTP will replace these terms with the broader definitions of “Low”,
“Medium”, “High”, “Extra-high” and “Combined” to
better describe fuel usage performance.
It’s interesting to note that the WLTP has been around since 2017 and all new vehicles have been tested using a combination of WLTP and NEDC standards since then. However, the full change over to WLTP will occur in April 2020 with the NEDC being withdrawn.
So,
What’s The Difference?
Primarily
the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure is designed to
reflect the fuel and CO2 performance of new cars more accurately. And
WLTP test figures will offer consumers better data to consider when
they buy a new vehicle.
Crucial
to this buying decision is how the vehicle is rated for tax purposes.
HMRC currently use fuel and CO2 data to calculate excise duty for
unregistered vehicles. From April 2020 this will be derived using the
WLTP standard.
The
implication here could be that some vehicles potentially attract
higher rates of duty as the more accurate WLTP fuel and CO2 figures
come into play. This, in turn, may affect the decisions of consumers
for all types of vehicles and may play a more significant role in
their final buying choice.
Finally, it’s incumbent for vehicle manufacturers and sellers to be able to supply this information in the sales cycle to ensure customers are fully informed of their financial commitments going forward.
Ahead
Of The Curve
As
an industry-leading company, the Truckcraft team have been keeping a
keen eye on the development of the WLTP. We understand how important
issues like fuel economy and C02 emissions are to our clients. We
appreciate the commercial implications the WLTP data has both for
company finances and compliance with ever-tightening emissions laws.
For
our part, we’ll ensure we source and use the most efficient,
client-friendly vehicles for our conversions and offer full
information on all aspects of our trucks’ performance, including
the WLTP data. That way you’ll always know you’re buying the most
future-focussed delivery vans and trucks your money can buy.
For more information on our range of delivery trucks and vans including all the relevant performance data, please contact the Truckcraft Bodies sales team on 0161 304 9404. Alternatively, email glen.pinder@truckcraftbodies.co.uk or emma.jane@truckcraftbodies.co.uk.
Published: Nov 12