New WLTP cycle: how does it affect me? Everything you need to know

The new WLTP cycle came into force on 1 September. The new regulations affect consumption figures, emissions and registration tax.

La new WLTP homologation regulations It came into force on September 1, and with it manufacturers will offer Much more realistic consumption and emissions data about their new vehicles. How do WLTP cycle tests and measurements work? Does this change affect the consumption and emissions of our cars? What are the consequences for taxes? We answer all your questions about the WLTP cycle:

What is the WLTP cycle? Why has it been implemented?

The WLTP cycle is a homologation protocol that determines the consumption and emissions of new vehicles. This regulation replaces the old NEDC cycle, whose measurements were based on theoretical driving that provided less rigorous consumption and emissions data than those obtained in the current WLTP. New regulations base their measurements on real driving data, and its tests are much more demanding and extensive than those of the old NEDC cycle..

The European Union has set a target of reducing the level of emissions from cars by 2030% by 30 compared to 2021. This is why it has decided to implement a much more rigorous emissions measurement system, which forces manufacturers to produce less polluting engines. Since September 1st, the Manufacturers have had to adapt/renew their range of engines to prevent consumers from paying more taxes for a new vehicle; If the engines exceed the established emission values for the new cycle (more demanding than before), the car will have to pay a higher price in registration and circulation taxes (below we explain the exact percentages), something that manufacturers have tried to avoid at all costs.

What measurements are made in the WLTP cycle?

Homologation tests of the new WLTP cycle will continue to be carried out in the laboratory, but under much more realistic conditions than those carried out in the old cycle. Among the most significant changes are the accelerations from 0 to 50 km/h, whose duration will be longer: between 5 and 10 seconds.

The WLTP cycle test lasts 30 minutes, 10 more than in the old NEDC cycle, and will consist of four phases: low speeds (9,81 minutes), medium speeds (7,21 minutes), high speeds (7,58 minutes) and very high speeds (5,38 minutes)

How does the WLTP cycle affect vehicle registration tax?

Unfortunately, with the implementation of the new WLTP cycle there will be fewer cars exempt from registration tax in our country. According to GANVAM (National Association of Motor Vehicle Sellers), Between 10% and 20% of the Spanish car fleet has lost the privilege of not paying registration tax on September 1.

Below we detail what you will have to pay for the registration tax of your new car, depending on its emissions level:

• 0% on the taxable base of the car: vehicles with emissions less than or equal to 120 g/km of CO2.
• 4,75% on the taxable base of the car: vehicles with emissions greater than 120 g/km or less than 160 g/km of CO2.
• 9,75% on the taxable base of the car: vehicles with emissions greater than 160 g/km or less than 200 g/km of CO2.
• 14,75% on the taxable base of the car: vehicles with emissions greater than or equal to 200 g/km of CO2.