The Passenger Car Fuel Consumption Order 1983

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Order revokes and re-enacts with amendments the Passenger Car Fuel Consumption Order 1977. The amendments, apart from drafting changes are as follows—

(1) The requirements for officially approved tests are extended to four wheel drive and diesel engined cars of a class manufactured after 1st June 1984 (Article 4(2)). The appointed day for the purpose of section 15(3) of the Energy Act 1976 for cars of classes which comprise cars of this description is 1st December 1984 (Article 12).

(2) The test procedure contained in Schedule 2 to the 1977 Order is discontinued. In its place (Article 6) provision is made for tests to be carried out under either the procedure contained in ECE Regulation 15 incorporating the 04 series of amendments (“the ECE test procedure”) or the procedure contained in Council Directive 80/1268/EEC (“the EEC test procedure”). In this respect the Order fulfils the obligations arising from the Directive.

(3) Under the ECE test procedure and the EEC test procedure, the constant speed test at 120 km/h becomes mandatory for all vehicles with a design speed of 130km/h or more. Under the 1977 Order, this test was voluntary.

(4) Article 7 provides for the recording of the test results in an official fuel economy certificate. Where a document in the form set out in the ECE Regulation (“an ECE fuel consumption document”) or the EEC directive (“an EEC fuel consumption document”) has already been issued by the competent authority of an appropriate state it is not necessary to submit detailed test results and a form of application is prescribed in Schedule 2, Part I. In other cases, detailed test results must be furnished in the form prescribed in Schedule 2, Part II.

(5) The provisions whereby the Secretary of State may require a test to be repeated apply only where an ECE fuel consumption document or an EEC fuel consumption document has not been previously issued.

(6) Article 8 provides for the method of calculation of fuel consumption.

(7) Article 10 makes provision that, in case where an EEC fuel consumption document or an ECE fuel consumption document has not been issued, the manufacturer or importer may notify the Secretary of State of changes in technical characteristics of a class of car in respect of which an official fuel economy certificate has previously been issued. The Secretary of State may then, if appropriate, notify the manufacturer that a further test is not required. A form of notification is prescribed in Schedule 4.

(8) Article 15 provides that a person who acquires a new car for the purpose of financing its acquisition by a customer from a third person, or who acquires a new car for the purpose of financing its use by means of hiring it is not to be regarded as a person who deals in new cars.

(9) The list of technical characteristics contained in Schedule 1 defining a car's class is amended by:

(a)

deleting references to—

(i)

the cubic capacity of the engine

(ii)

the maximum power of the engine and engine speed at which this occurs

(iii)

the cooling system

(iv)

the ignition system

(v)

the exhaust system

(vi)

the lubricant specification recommended by manufacturer

(vii)

the type of gear change

(b)

by adding references to:—

(i)

the internal characteristics of the engine affecting its power-speed curve

(ii)

the type of fan and its method of drive

(iii)

the ignition characteristics

(iv)

the type of transmission

(v)

the number of gears

(vi)

the final drive ratio

(vii)

the type of bodywork, including any aerodynamic aids

(viii)

any devices and equipment whose object is to influence fuel economy

(c)

by making minor drafting changes to the following items:—

(i)

the reference mass

(ii)

the tyres ordinarily fitted by the manufacturer.

Copies of the EEC Directives and ECE Regulations (these are regulations prepared by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, annexed to the Agreement of 20th March 1958 as amended (Cmnd 2535 and 3562) relating to conditions for approval for motor vehicle equipment and parts, and accepted from time to time by the Governments which are parties to that Agreement) and which are referred to in this Order can be obtained from Her Majesty's Stationery Office.