10. On the Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedures (WLTP), the Chair of the informal subgroup on the Development of the Harmonized driving Cycle (DHC) introduced GRPE-63-25 on their progress since June 2011. He summarized the outcomes of the first validation phase, including the decisions to revise the test cycle according to the concerns raised by the EC on the cycle dynamics and, following the observations from India, to develop a test cycle for low powered vehicles. He noted that a second step of the first validation phase (validation 1b), expected to lead to a clarification on the gear shifting points, had started in some laboratories and should be completed by March 2012. Referring to the concerns expressed by the expert from India on the last WLTP proposal, he mentioned that he expects a solution as an outcome of validation phase 1b.
11. The expert from the EC preferred to leave a possibility to test issues related to the gear shift points also in the second validation phase, since a final solution may not emerge from the validation phase 1b.
12. The Chair of the informal subgroup on the Development of the Test Procedure (DTP) reported on the work status of the subgroup (GRPE-63-32). He stated that the beginning of validation phase 2 has been postponed until the conclusion of validation 1b. He mentioned that it is crucial for the DTP work to have a confirmation test and validation 2 completed by the end of 2012. He mentioned that a new drafting coordinator for the drafting of the UN GTR has been selected. He informed GRPE that a first approach on the UN GTR structure has been presented and invited interested experts to present comments. He reported on issues related to the subgroups of DTP (Laboratory Processes on Electric Vehicles and those powered by internal combustion engines, Particulate Matter and Particulate Number, Additional Pollutants and Reference Fuels). 13. Following a question from the expert from Germany, the Chair of the DTP subgroup noted that testing of additional pollutants (other than CO, HC, NOX, and PM) like NO2, aldehydes and others should be encouraged in laboratories that are willing to undertake it. The expert from the EC underlined the importance of this, underlying the need to develop specific procedures if not addressed by this work.
14. The secretary of WLTP introduced GRPE-63-27 and GRPE-63-28, providing information on the WLTP road map. He noted that the delays accumulated had resulted in significantly shorter (six months) validation phases, since the main deadlines of the process were not expected to change. He informed GRPE that solutions to eventual problems due to the delays are expected to be identified by the WLTP steering group.
15. The expert from France underlined the importance, for successful work on WLTP, to deliver on time robust results, especially with respect to reliability, accuracy and flexibility of test results, also underlying that the results could be used to establish labelling schemes and fiscal measures related to the performance of vehicles.
16. The GRPE Chair announced that, if further delays occur, a special GRPE session may be held in autumn 2012 to validate the conclusions resulting from the WLTP activities. The GRPE Chair illustrated possible options for developing the work in the DTP and DHC subgroups after completing validation phase 1. He mentioned, in particular the following possibilities: (a) the combination of DTP and DHC subgroups (the most likely option); (b) the re-activation of the WLTP informal group (a less likely option, requiring to inform WP.29); and (c) the continuation of the work in two separate subgroups. He invited the experts to provide written comments on this subject.
38. The Chair of GRPE reported on the results achieved during its sixty-third session (for more details, see the report of the session ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRPE/63).
39. He informed WP.29 about the progress made to develop the UN GTR on WLTP (Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure). He added that ongoing discussions about the test cycle development would cause a time delay in the finalization of validation Phase 1 (driveability) and the start of validation Phase 2 (practicability and repeatability). He reported that, at the GRPE session in January 2012, the WLTP secretary had presented a revised Road Map and a proposal on how to organize future WLTP work (GRPE-63-28).
40. With regard to the informal working group on Retrofit Emissions Control devices (REC), WP.29 noted the intention of the informal working group to introduce two levels of stringency. GRPE had agreed to seek the consent of WP.29 for an extension of the mandate of the informal working group for another two years. The World Forum gave its consent.
The WLTP roadmap was presented by Ichikawa-san (see document GRPE-63-28). There were no major changes since last GRPE. Confirmation test shall start in September 2012 directly after end of Validation Phase 2. Ichikawa-san asked strongly for a firm DTP process to fix critical open issues necessary for confirmation testing in due time.