RDEtesten

RDEtesten refers to Real Driving Emissions tests, a regulatory procedure used to measure pollutants emitted by motor vehicles under real-world driving conditions. Conducted with portable emissions measurement systems (PEMS) attached to the vehicle, these tests aim to capture how vehicles perform outside laboratory environments.

The purpose of RDE testing is to supplement standard laboratory tests by providing emissions data that reflect typical on-road operation. They help ensure that vehicles meet pollution limits for pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons when driven in ordinary traffic. RDE tests are part of the broader type-approval process and inform regulatory compliance, enforcement, and future standards development.

In practice, RDE testing involves instrumented vehicles driven on public roads along a defined or representative route. Data collected by PEMS include exhaust emissions, vehicle speed, acceleration, ambient conditions, and road load. The resulting emissions figures are evaluated against regulatory limits, with regulators applying conformity factors to account for measurement uncertainty and variability between laboratory and on-road conditions.

Implementation and challenges have shaped the evolution of RDE testing. The approach has revealed discrepancies between laboratory results and real-world emissions, prompting refinements in testing protocols, route design, and data processing. Practical considerations include the cost and complexity of PEMS, the need to standardize routes and conditions, and ongoing debates about how to best balance accuracy with feasibility for large-scale vehicle testing.

Globally, RDE testing has influenced emissions regulation beyond the European context, with efforts to harmonize on-road testing practices in various regions. As technology and regulations evolve, RDE testing continues to play a central role in assessing real-world vehicle pollution and guiding policy improvements.