Methods of converting the type-approval CO2 emission values of light vehicles for Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard

Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) began on January 1, 2025, setting CO₂ emission targets for light-duty vehicles through 2029. While the NVES targets are based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), Australia is also adopting Euro 6d-equivalent exhaust emissions standards that require vehicles to be tested using either the Worldwide harmonized Light vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) or the U.S. 2-cycle tests.  

To avoid requiring the auto industry to test vehicles under multiple protocols, the Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts engaged ICCT in December 2024 to develop conversion methods that translate the WLTP and U.S. 2-cycle CO₂ values into NEDC-equivalent values for compliance determination with NVES.   

ICCT developed detailed conversion algorithms covering the various Australian fleets, including petrol and diesel passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, and plug-in hybrids. This test cycle conversion protocol was adopted into Australia’s legislation as an option for the auto industry to use for type approval CO₂ conversions instead of physical testing on multiple test cycles, if preferred. 

The report can be viewed and downloaded from the Australian government website. 

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