The Australian Automobile Association released a research that questions the use of laboratory testing in determining fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions of cars. The study examines the comparison on fuel use and exhaust emissions of real-world testing against the claims of car manufacturers.

The research found that contrary to when cars were tested on the lab, there were significantly higher greenhouse gas emissions and reduced fuel efficiency in real-world testing.

The Australian Automobile Association CEO Michael Bradley stated that they saw a 20% across-the-board difference on fuel efficiency. In addition to this, he also noted that they noticed up to 35% difference between what the sticker says for fuel use and what the car actually uses.

"Probably more worrying is that for noxious emissions, we've got cars in our program that are emitting four times the legal limit," the CEO said.

The association commissioned ABMARC, a Victorian engineering company, to test the real-world missions of 30 vehicles. The results released were based on the first 10 vehicles that were tested, with the makes and models not specified.

Although the results were just preliminary and they have to wait for the results of the test for other vehicles, Mr. Bradley said that the trend was clear.

"It's just that clearly there's a very big difference between what a car does in a laboratory and when you drive it round on the streets of Melbourne."

The CEO also commented that the manufacturers seem to be designing their cars around meeting the standards, as tested in the lab. The cars were built to be as clean as they need to be in a lab, which is a synthetic environment.

"As vehicle emissions restrictions around the world get tighter and tighter and tighter, what we're suggesting is vehicle manufacturers implement a range of technologies and strategies to meet all those in a laboratory setting," he said.

The research suggested that the Government should have its eyes wide open as the benefits may only be accruing in a laboratory, and does not apply to the real world.

"We should be using real world emissions testing in Australia, just like they're bringing in in Europe, because that's what consumers deserve."