The leading provider of global automotive data and insight, JATO Dynamics, has launched a pressing initiative in an attempt to focus the industry on the urgency of WLTP adoption. This campaign begins with the publication of a white paper advising automotive players to embrace WLTP measures, or risk falling behind the pack.
The Beyond Regulation: Staying ahead of the pack report, comes in light of growing global climate concerns and a post-Covid-19 world, contemplating the new and unfamiliar landscape that will likely see different consumer habits and priorities.
The report found that the shift to WLTP – employed to ensure manufacturers’ new sales-weighted fleet does not produce more emissions than 95g of CO2 per kilometre – is facing a number of complexities. Barriers include:
- Differing WLTP policies created by individual legislators are subject to repeals and amendments. Any alterations to WLTP policies impact a market’s bottom line, and automotive players need to be reactive to shifts in policy.
- There is a large volume of work required to guarantee correct WLTP calculations. On average, there are 15 to 20 steps before a manufacturer can release reliable WLTP data.
- Consumer preferences, via add-on and design options, will likely have a significant effect on WLTP ratings. Vehicles that are personalised beyond market specification, will require new WLTP calculations.
Olivier Pejis, Head of European Sales Leasing at JATO Dynamics, commented: “For many years the industry has treated WLTP as a challenge which could be pushed forward, to be dealt with later. But in doing so we may have failed to realise that WLTP reflects a mounting sentiment shared by both consumers, industry and legislators as they favour green solutions. Now is the moment for the industry to embrace WLTP or risk falling behind the pack.”
- The report also outlines the likely evolution of the automotive sector, once WLTP policies are fully operational. These include:
- Providing customers with numerous options for add-ons and design amendments will become increasingly difficult, any many OEMs will reduce the options available to ensure fewer WLTP variables.
- WLTP requires detailed information for its measurements and there has been a large improvement in transparency and data sharing across the industry, this will likely strengthen over time.
- There will be a greater shift towards e-commerce and digitisation, prompted by WLTP and remote working, as many consumers now search for pain-free online purchases.
SOURCE: JATO Dynamics
