PSA Peugeot Citroën is fulfilling its transparency commitments to customers. In connection with the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show, it is releasing the initial results on real-world fuel consumption for three models. This initiative is a world first in the automotive industry .The results come from a test procedure established with two non-governmental organisations, Transport & Environment (T&E) and France Nature Environment (FNE), and are audited by Bureau Veritas. This protocol confirms the real-world fuel consumption of PSA customers, as well as the results of the independent data bases.

In November 2015, with media coverage casting a pall over the automotive industry, PSA Peugeot Citroën decided to take a unique approach by publishing real-world fuel consumption data for its cars in order to be transparent with customers.

PSA Peugeot Citroën is the first carmaker to adopt such an approach and is today publishing initial fuel consumption metrics for three of its most popular vehicles.

The measurements were made under a protocol developed with the NGO Transport & Environment, on public roads near Paris (25.5 km urban, 39.7 km extra-urban, and 31.1 km motorway) and under real-life driving conditions, notably with passenger and luggage loads, road gradients, and use of air-conditioning systems.

Based on the European Union's Real Driving Emissions (RDE) project, the protocol measures fuel consumption by means of a portable emissions measurement system (PEMS) installed on the vehicle. Bureau Veritas, an independent and internationally respected body, guarantees the protocol, ensuring that it is conducted in line with specifications and that the results are accurate and reliable.

The initial measurements are comparable to those made by customers (obtained from independant customer surveys). They show that the procedure conducted with Transport & Environment is scientifically robust and representative of a typical driver.

PSA Peugeot Citroën is European leader for low-carbon emissions. Confident in its technologies, the Group is anticipating future testing standards and calling for the introduction of the Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedures (WLTP), which will better reflect real-world driving conditions.

Before summer 2016 PSA will release official real-world fuel consumption figures for 30 Peugeot, Citroën and core DS models.

Gilles Le Borgne, Executive Vice-President, Research & Development, said: "As announced in late 2015, after working with Transport & Environment, France Nature Environment and Bureau Veritas, the procedure has now been validated and the initial results are consistent with customer-reported consumption data".

Greg Archer, Clean Vehicles Director at Transport & Environment, said: "The test developed with PSA Peugeot Citroën is reproducible and representative. It confirms the fuel consumption of a tested model by a typical driver in real-world driving conditions. This test proves that the on-road tests are reliable and can be used to measure real CO2 emissions. This should become the benchmark for all carmakers advertising their vehicles' fuel efficiency."

Michel Dubromel, Vice-Chairman of France Nature Environment, added: "The proactive approach taken by PSA Peugeot Citroën reflects total transparency on CO2 emissions and is set to continue for other pollutants. It's our response to people's legitimate concerns about public health".

Commenting, Marc Boissonnet, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Communication at Bureau Veritas, said: "The initiative, based on cooperation between a manufacturer, an NGO and a certification organization, is both innovative and constructive. It meets all the conditions for addressing issues that may be raised by consumers. PSA Peugeot Citroën has done what was necessary to ensure an independent and credible verification that can set the standard for the automotive industry".