ARAI Fuel Efficiency vs Actual Fuel Efficiency | Whats the Difference?

We Indians are obsessed with being frugal, always looking to extract the best and the most efficient possible result from anything we undertake. And with such a significant investment like that of a car, the expectation of being economical further increases.  The purchase of a car is an expensive task for most Indians, and the mileage of the car forms the very first thing on their minds while buying it. This is because running expenses keep adding up over time, and therefore a car with good mileage can be seen as a good and safe choice.

The manufacturers know all this; therefore, they highlight the mileage of the car in their advertisements. The mileage test numbers are approved by the ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) testing facility, which is backed by the Government of India. Many people have noticed that the mileage of their cars is somewhat lower than what is being claimed by the company.

This is because ARAI tests are done under laboratory conditions, whereas real-world driving involves factors such as weather and traffic. In this article, we discuss the main causes of the difference between ARAI mileage and real mileage.

What is ARAI Mileage 

ARAI mileage means the miles per liter of fuel that a vehicle achieves based on test results provided by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), which is an independent government-approved testing organization. It is usually the value that appears on brochure sheets, advertisements, and in online information about the product, and can be noted in kilometers per liter.

Usually, ARAI uses a laboratory test procedure known as the Modified Indian Driving Cycle (MIDC). This test involves the use of a rolling road, which is a device known as the chassis dynamometer. In this test, the exhaust gas emissions and fuel consumption are measured. The test period is not long; it takes 19 minutes, covering 10-11 km.

The Test environment is highly controlled:

• The maximum speed remains close to 90 km/h.
• There is no air conditioning system on, and there are no passengers or cargo.
• The lab temperature is perfect.
• There is no traffic congestion, potholes, inclines, or inclement weather.

Since all vehicles have the same test environment, ARAI mileage offers a good way for buyers to evaluate one car against another. It should not be treated as a guarantee of what one can get on roads. Actual driving includes traffic, air conditioning, car maintenance, road conditions, and individual driving behavior, so the mileage achieved is always less than ARAI mileage.

The testing procedure might also change soon. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways wants to switch petrol and diesel cars to the WLTP test cycle from April 2027 because it better reflects actual conditions of driving.

ARAI Vs Actual Fuel Efficiency | Why is there a difference?

1. ARAI’s test is not on an actual road

   The ARAI test is done using a chassis dynamometer which aims to simulate the Indian Driving Cycle (IDC) to test the cars in conditions as close to the real world as possible. The test tries to achieve this by taking into consideration several forces that act upon a car in actual conditions (like inertia). However, despite all the efforts, the simulation is not at all a close match for the actual driving conditions and hence the fuel efficiency figures for a car tested on a dynamometer is askew.

2. ARAI tests are very brief

   The ARAI test has a duration of mere 19 minutes (1,140 seconds) for a distance of 10 Km with the simulated city and highway road conditions on a Dynamometer at an average speed of around 31Km/h. The speeds do not exceed 90 km/h with the deceleration and acceleration happening gradually.

   Suggested: The 20 Best Mileage Cars (Fuel-Efficient Cars) of 2020 | Petrol and Diesel

   It is literally very hard to fathom how such a short spanned test can bring about an apt economy figure for the cars it tests. In the case of real-time driving, a car has to go several kilometres in order to achieve an optimal fuel economy figure.

3. ARAI’s IDC test is not entirely meant for testing fuel efficiency

   The primary objective of ARAI’s IDC test being conducted on all sorts of automobiles is to ensure that all the vehicles abide by the emission standards of our country and primarily measures the emission levels of the vehicle. The fuel efficiency rating is something the test shows alongside the emission levels. It calculates the Fuel economy rating using an empirical formula.

   The reason behind ARAI releasing these figures is to have an understanding of the rate at which the fuel efficiency of two different vehicles varies from each other (which vehicle is more fuel-efficient and which is less). The figures from the test do not signify the actual fuel efficiency of a vehicle in real-time conditions.

4. Tests are conducted on new vehicles only

   The economy that you’ll be able to fetch from a new vehicle won’t remain the same after putting some thousand kilometres on the odometer. ARAI’s test doesn’t consider this factor. It performs its test only on vehicles which have just been rolled off the factory line. Hence, there is no way you’ll be able to know the fuel efficiency of your vehicle on the later stages of its lifespan from ARAI’s an emission/economy test.

5. There are other factors left unconsidered

   Several other factors are not considered by ARAI while conducting a test for fuel efficiency of the vehicle, some of them are as below:

   • Test conditions: The ARAI test is conducted in a simulated city and highway road conditions which are not able to take into consideration several factors from the real-time driving like altitudes and elevation of certain roads, diverse traffic conditions, idling at traffic signals, etc. The test does not even include turning the air condition on while it is being conducted. Absence of all these factors means that ARAI’s fuel efficiency rating is far from being accurate for real-time driving conditions.
   • Driving Dynamics: During the test, the vehicle is made to run on average speeds of around 31 Km/h where the throttle, clutch and braking actions are computer-controlled. This means that the test fails to keep into consideration the fact that every driver has a different driving dynamic which is the most important factor for keeping a car fuel-efficient.

Why do car brands use ARAI fuel efficiency figures?

Well, who doesn’t like a bagging a big number? Since fuel efficiency is the top priority of the Indian car buyer and ARAI rated test figures are always much greater than the actual economy figures, car companies use it to their advantage in showcasing their products as a more fuel-efficient offering. These figures are used as mere marketing tools by these brands to influence sales. Company personal try their best to convenience the potential customers that under optimal driving conditions, these economy figures can be achieved. Hence, it serves as a very attractive sales pitch.

These figures are more or less a long-shot on actual road conditions. So next time while you hit a dealership for your new car, don’t let the sales executive fool you with the ARAI rated figures. Ask them for Actual road-tested fuel efficiency figures.

Conclusion

The mileage of ARAI is the officially declared mileage of a car and serves as a means of comparison between different models of cars. However, it is determined in a lab environment without traffic, air conditioning, and a shorter and less rigorous test course; thus, actual mileage on roads is normally lower.

Driving style, condition of the road, use of air conditioning, and even type of fuel used influence the mileage of a car. Hence, use ARAI mileage as the basic parameter and refer to other road-based tests, owners’ reviews, and a test drive to make up your mind. However, if after some time the mileage of your car decreases significantly compared to expectations, have it checked by a mechanic.

FAQs