FLEETDRIVE management and meet environmental targets .
Fleet managers ’ support will also be critical for the program ’ s success .
The AAA is seeking fleet managers who can support the program by lending vehicles for testing .
Providing vehicles for testing will grow the publicly available database , giving fleet managers and consumers more data to inform their purchases .
Fleet managers are well-informed and are influential in Australian vehicle markets . Your purchasing decisions will not only have an impact on the new-vehicle market – within a few years they will make a difference in the second-hand market .
The Real-World Testing Program is prioritising tests on high-selling vehicles and will generally target the most popular variant within a model ’ s line-up for testing .
We are aiming for broad market coverage to ensure as many consumers as possible can benefit from the results as soon as possible .
Many of the vehicles we are prioritising are mainstays in commercial and government fleets .
Initially , we will test petrol , diesel , and hybrid variants of best-selling models , as well as models of special interest , such as those with low fuel consumption as reported on the Government ’ s Green Vehicle Guide . Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles will be tested later in the program .
Fleet managers can also suggest vehicles for testing .
AfMA is a key stakeholder in this project . Its support has been crucial in securing government backing for the program , and it is a member of the program ’ s Stakeholder Advisory Group , alongside the Australian Government , the Australian Automotive Dealers Association , and the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries .
AfMA and these other stakeholders receive updates directly from the AAA . They can gauge their members ’ responses to the program , and they have an open channel to provide feedback and advice on the program ’ s priorities and operations .
The AAA will also use this group to seek advice on opportunities to support stakeholders and leverage the program ’ s outcomes to support other initiatives .
AfMA can also use its membership of this group to convey fleets ’ suggestions – including vehicles for testing ; whether the program could provide additional information ; and potential future improvements to the program , including how electric vehicles could be assessed .
On-road testing
The AAA has contracted transport engineering consultancy ABMARC to undertake test drives on public roads in and around Geelong , Victoria .
Each test vehicle will be fitted with a portable emissions measurement system and driven at least twice through the 93-kilometre course , which includes urban and rural roads , as well as a stretch of motorway .
If the results from two initial tests do not meet the AAA ’ s repeatability criteria , a third test drive will be undertaken . Vehicles will be driven less than 500 kilometres during testing .
The test drives will be done over three or four days , but the testing period – including activities before and after the test drives – takes three weeks ( 15 business days ).
This includes collecting the vehicle ; conducting basic safety checks and a mechanical inspection ; preparation and fitting a portable emissions measurement system ; undertaking the on-road tests ; reviewing the results ; removing all test equipment ; and returning the vehicle . The testing will not damage vehicles , nor will it require any permanent modifications .
During this time , all vehicles are securely stored overnight at ABMARC ’ s facility in Geelong .
To generate reliable results , vehicles must be in good condition , registered and with a full service history . They should be no more than two years old , and run-in with at least 3,000 kilometres – and ideally between 10,000 and 20,000 kilometres – on the odometer .
Fleet managers interested in supplying vehicles for real-world testing should contact AfMA Executive Director Mace Hartley .
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