<
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jul/31/cars-sold-in-australia-still-use-more-petrol-and-emit-more-toxic-fumes-than-advertised-new-real-world-testing-shows>
"Car companies continue to sell vehicles in Australia that use much more petrol
and emit more toxic fumes than advertised, despite repeated investigations
identifying discrepancies in marketing.
The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) on Wednesday released the latest
results from its “real-world” testing program, a four-year $14m
government-funded scheme that scrutinises claims made about vehicles’ fuel
consumption and emissions.
The country’s peak motoring body said it had tested 114 popular cars, vans and
utes since the program began in August 2023 and found more than 77% of these
vehicles used more fuel than advertised.
In its most recent study, the AAA said 25 of the 30 cars tested used more
petrol than advertised, showing consumers could not rely on the fuel
consumption and emissions information provided at point of sale.
Eleven of the cars used 10% or more fuel on the road than they had in the
manufacturers’ laboratory testing which was used as the basis for advice to
consumers, the AAA said.
The Hyundai Kona Hybrid recorded the greatest discrepancy – using 5.2 litres
per 100km in the AAA’s testing on the road, compared with its laboratory result
of 3.9 litres per 100km – a difference of 33%.
Hyundai declined to comment.
It was followed by the Kia Stonic, which used 26% more fuel on the road; the
Hyundai i30 Hybrid, which used 17%; the Toyota Fortuner, which used 16%; and
the Kia Sportage Hybrid, which used 14%.
Kia was contacted for comment. Toyota declined to comment.
The AAA said its latest round of testing also found six of the 30 vehicles
produced noxious emissions above current Australian regulatory limits, despite
these same vehicle types having met those limits in lab tests.
These were the Toyota Fortuner, the Suzuki Vitara, the BMW X1, the Ford Ranger,
the Toyota Hi-Ace LWB and the Toyota Hi-Ace SLWB.
BMW and Ford were contacted for comment. Suzuki said it was unable to respond
by deadline."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
