NEDCstandardi

NEDCstandardi is a fictional international standard framework for evaluating automotive energy efficiency and emissions, designed as a successor or companion to the traditional NEDC driving cycle. It defines a suite of standardized driving cycles, measurement methodologies, and reporting formats intended to enable cross-border comparability of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions across vehicle categories.

Developed in a hypothetical multinational collaboration during the early 2020s, NEDCstandardi builds on broader driving profiles and real-world data calibration to address criticisms of earlier cycles. It envisions harmonized test conditions and transparent reporting to support regulatory alignment and consumer information.

The scope covers passenger cars, light-commercial vehicles, and electric powertrains. It specifies ambient conditions, test durations, and warm-up requirements, as well as measurement protocols for fuel use, energy consumption, CO2, and regulated pollutants. For electric vehicles, it defines energy efficiency metrics in kWh per 100 km and specifies battery state-of-charge windows used during testing. The framework also includes aging factors to account for wear and drivetrain changes over time.

Adoption and impact would aim to improve comparability of lab results across regions and reduce discrepancies between laboratory tests and on-road performance. It envisions alignment with related standards, periodic updates, and a formal certification process for manufacturers.

Critics have raised concerns about increased testing complexity and costs, potential gaming of test protocols, and challenges in keeping pace with rapid propulsion technology developments.

See also NEDC, WLTC, driving cycle.

Note: NEDCstandardi is presented here as a fictional standard used for illustrative purposes.