The European Union Regulation 168/2013 requires an Effect Study to confirm the provisions (defined thereby and in Regulation 134/2014 [4]) for the type approval of the Euro 5 L-category vehicles (two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles, such as quads and minicars). The present report describes the testing methodology and preliminary results as input to the main Effect Study. Upon request of DG-GROWTH (Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs), the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) undertook an experimental campaign on 12 L-category vehicles to test their propulsion unit and environmental performance in line with a new paradigm: In principle, a vehicle should be clean and energy efficient in each and every operation point. In particular, vehicles belonging to the L-category family were tested over the current legislative test procedure, according to the future legislation contained in Regulation 168/2013 and during a wide open throttle test to assess the maximum performance of the vehicles (max power and torque). Several engine load variables were logged during the experimental testing: Second-by-second mass emissions of carbon dioxide, fuel consumption, power and torque at the wheel, throttle position, etc. The use of load variables is especially useful when on-road driving has to be compared to the legislative testing conditions. The new test cycle proposed for Euro 5 type approval, the Worldwide harmonized Motorcycle Test Cycle (WMTC) proved to be better than the present driving cycle in terms of quantity, quality and dynamics of testing/sampling points. The results related to the monitored load variables are vehicle specific and it was not possible to identify a single all-purpose fitting variable capable of describing engine load conditions during the test. Nevertheless the set of variables investigated in this work are promising and will be used as underpinnings for the Effect Study.
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