Yes, it’s a positive step in the currently clouded car industry, but is it also a downright crazy one? PSA Peugeot Citroen has revealed they will be releasing ‘real world’ fuel economy data by spring 2016.
The move comes after the recent Volkswagen emissions scandal, which has made buyers wary of carmakers’ official figures. Dieselgate has spread caution across all car brands, not just the VW Group. By releasing the data, PSA hope it’ll reassure and renew confidence in the buying public that not all manufacturers are involved in the scandal.
PSA are teaming up with Belgian pollution group Transport & Environment for the tests, with results ready for spring next year. The real-world data will include figures measured on public, open roads during real driving conditions. It’ll take into consideration the difference between urban roads and driving on the motorway. The results will hopefully mean that drivers will see the economy ratings they’re likely to get, not just what the manufacturers claim.
The Peugeot 108.
The French automakers have also said that they will publish real-world NOx emissions figures by spring 2017, which are at the core of the VW scandal. No models from Peugeot or Citroen have been called into question so far, but the emissions scandal has made buyers hesitant. The global car industry fears that VW’s lies will begin affecting other brands and sectors; PSA is helping to build bridges with consumers by offering public real-world data.
“This innovative initiative is a clear demonstration that a carmaker and independent bodies can reach agreement for the benefit of customer information,” says Carlos Tavares, chairman of the managing board of PSA Peugeot Citroen. “This will also highlight the advanced technologies that PSA Peugeot Citroen is developing to contribute to fuel economy.”
The company hasn’t announced how they will publicise the results of these tests yet, but by completing them with independent adjudicators, they should be easily accessible when the time comes. It’s certain that PSA Peugeot Citroen’s future sales will be affected by the outcome, so of course the two companies want the real-world figures to be as close to the official ones as possible.
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http://www.peugeot.co.uk/
