Ricardo’s milestone shows how emissions testing now spans two jobs at once: policing tailpipe pollutants and verifying electric range
Ricardo has tested its 2,000th vehicle at its UK vehicle emissions research centre (VERC), after more than 25,000 tests and 750,000km on its chassis dynamometer. Over 11 years the site has measured tailpipe pollutants as well as the energy use and range of electric and hybrid models.
VERC opened in 2015 to meet worldwide harmonised light vehicle test procedure requirements, becoming the first independent UK facility accredited for them by the Vehicle Certification Agency. It supports development and certification for OEMs needing proof of regulatory compliance.
Its four-wheel-drive dynamometer runs between -30°C and +55°C with humidity control. Analysers identify individual pollutant species for current rules and incoming Euro 7, while high-voltage equipment tracks electrical energy use.
“In just over 11 years, we have averaged around 47 tests per week on a wide variety of vehicles, covering a staggering 750,000km,” Tim Bassett, Head of Test at Ricardo, said. “That’s the equivalent of 18 trips around the globe, or almost a journey to the Moon and back.”
Ricardo frames the milestone as support for an industry facing tougher emissions and electrification rules. Bassett added: “These figures represent a significant achievement for Ricardo’s testing facilities, but more importantly they demonstrate how we are supporting the development of the next generation of propulsion systems, helping to reduce emissions that are harmful to both the environment and human health.”
Source: Ricardo
Source: www.automotiveworld.com
