Since 1985, the Touring Club Schweiz (TCS) has constantly tested the exhaust emissions and fuel consumption of more than 300 new cars fitted with catalytic converters (31 different makes). In parallel, the efficiency and service life of the catalyst and surrounding components were monitored by long-term tests on 26 cars over a kilometre count of up to 250,000 km. All the measurements were based on the driving cycles FTP 75 and HDC and, since 1996, on the European test cycle described by EU Directive 93/116/EC. In addition, independently of any changes in the legal regulations, the emission data were also recorded at constant speeds of 100, 115 and 130 km/h. The results of the measurements clearly indicate car manufacturers' efforts to reduce exhaust emissions and fuel consumption. Relative to the base year of 1985, emission in the TCS cycle at constant speeds have been reduced by 55% in the case of carbon monoxide, 15% in that of hydrocarbons and 73% in that of nitrogen monoxide. (A)
Samenvatting