Are Car Manufacturers Fudging Fuel Efficiency Numbers in Australia?

A recent study carried out by the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) has revealed a startling revelation within the automotive industry – vehicles on Australian roads are consuming up to 20% more fuel than what manufacturers are advertising.

The AAA’s investigation, which was financially supported by the federal government, entailed a meticulous scrutiny of 13 different vehicles. The outcomes disclosed that five of the cars surpassed their laboratory results by a considerable margin, with one car achieving 7% better performance than that claimed by the manufacturer.

The research encompassed a diverse range of vehicle categories, including passenger cars, SUVs, and larger people carriers. It also took into consideration driving conditions on urban and rural roads, as well as motorways at varying speeds. The examination was carried out in compliance with European Union legislation to ensure precision and dependability.

According to the AAA, the vehicles that exhibited the most significant discrepancies in the testing were the BMW X3, MG3, Audi Q5, and Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid. These vehicles demonstrated substantial differences between their real-world fuel consumption and the figures provided by manufacturers.

Conversely, the Kia Carnival defied expectations by consuming 7% less fuel on the road than the figures suggested by its laboratory tests, showcasing a rare instance of a vehicle surpassing its claimed efficiency.

In addition to fuel consumption, the AAA also assessed the pollutant emissions from the vehicles. Four out of the 13 cars recorded results that exceeded Australian regulatory limits for laboratory tests, raising concerns about their environmental impact.

Michael Bradley, the managing director of AAA, underscored the significance of this real-world testing, asserting that it inculcates a higher level of transparency for consumers and has the potential to “reduce demand for models that over-promised and under-delivered”. This information could prove invaluable for prospective car buyers, potentially saving them hundreds of dollars annually while also contributing to a cleaner vehicle fleet.

The government-supported testing scheme in Australia was implemented in response to the 2015 Volkswagen scandal, wherein the manufacturer was found to have deceived consumers with false emissions claims. The primary aim of this new testing regime is to prevent such deceit in the future, ensuring that consumers have access to precise and reliable information when making purchases.

The AAA has sought feedback from BMW, MG, Audi, and Toyota concerning the findings of the study, requesting additional elucidation on the differences between claimed and real-world fuel efficiency.

This groundbreaking study serves as a call to action for both manufacturers and consumers, underscoring the significance of accurate and transparent data within the automotive industry. As potential car buyers, we should be able to have confidence in the information provided by manufacturers, and this study engenders queries about the accuracy of these claims. Will this result in more rigorous testing protocols in the future? Only time will tell.