Stricter WLTP rules: Those who are well prepared this time

E s has covered the last Naturalized years ago: As soon as September begins, stricter emissions regulations come into force. This was also the case in 2019. Not only that the Euro 6d-TEMP emissions standard now applies to all newly registered cars (previously this was only relevant for the type approval of new models). The WLTP test cycle is also becoming more rigorous. For the time being, only for type approvals, but from January 1, 2020 also for all new car registrations.

EVAP is about evaporative emissions

But what exactly changes with those new cars that are classified according to the Euro 6d-TEMP-EVAP-ISC emissions standard? The technical background is that in the future they will have to meet stricter rules with regard to their evaporation emissions ('Evaporative Emission'). It checks how many hydrocarbons a car is emitting from its fuel system. The same limit value that was previously allowed to be emitted in a 24-hour period now applies to 48 hours. This is a particular challenge for gasoline-powered vehicles, as this fuel evaporates more easily than diesel due to its shorter hydrocarbon chains.

ISC stands for 'In-Service Conformity Tests' and means that vehicles that are already on the road have to prove that they continue to meet the emissions regulations. According to the ADAC, neither the acronym EVAP nor the ISC suffix have any meaning for vehicle owners or drivers. They are aimed solely at the vehicle manufacturers and are supposed to monitor them.

VW probably got into a lurch

For them the groundhog greets them again, at least from a distance. The memory of the disaster during the last tightening of the test cycle der or the emissions standard is still fresh. In the past few years, when switching to the WLTP cycle and the Euro 6d-TEMP standard, the test benches became scarce, which led to delivery bottlenecks for many manufacturers - and for some even to the cancellation of complete engine-gearbox variants. The VW Group was particularly affected by this.

This time too, Volkswagen and its sister brands apparently got a little faltering. Even if it is apparently not nearly as violent as during the last change, which is why the group managed to update most of its portfolio just in time. As far as VW's car division is concerned, a spokesman appeased the “Automobilwoche” and said: “On September 1stWith very few exceptions, all engine-gearbox variants are expected to have been converted to the new Euro 6d-TEMP-EVAP-ISC emissions standard to be. The same applies to Audi, Porsche and Skoda.

Largely problem-free conversion

However, according to the industry journal, only a third of all engine-gearbox variants were adapted to the new rules at the beginning of August . For example, this could mean that the Crafter will not be available again in all versions until 2020. A spokesman confirmed that there will be 'temporary restrictions'. However, this does not apply to the Caddy and T6-based models. According to the database, almost all motor-gearbox combinations are already standardized in accordance with Euro 6d-TEMP-EVAP-ISC.

In contrast, everything went well with most other manufacturers when adapting to Euro 6d-TEMP-EVAP-ISC largely smooth. BMW said it was ready in March, and everything should have gone according to plan at Mercedes too. Ford, Hyundai, Renault, Seat and the PSA group have already largely made the changeover behind them. A look at the database confirms this. With the manufacturers mentioned, there are hardly any gaps in terms of EVAP.

Euro 6d is casting its shadow ahead

But the challenges for the car manufacturers do not end there. From the beginning of 2020 (type approvals) or 2021 (every new car registration), the even stricter Euro 6d emissions standard will apply. Then a car has to prove that it only emits 1.5 times as much nitrogen oxides as it does on the test bench. Euro 6d-TEMP still allows 2.1 times that. Some brands are already continuously expanding their range of Euro 6d cars, especially BMW, Mercedes and those of the PSA Group. One group, however, is still completely blank when it comes to Euro 6d: Volkswagen.