How to use the data

When using the information to look at vehicles that meet Euro 4, Euro 5 and Euro 6 Emission Limits (Current Standards), it may be helpful to note the following:

The figures are obtained by running an example of the listed vehicle over a fixed route in a laboratory on a rolling road under closely controlled conditions. Because of the nature of testing procedures, the type approval emissions figures should be treated with caution and specifically should not be used to rank a number of vehicles for which similar figures are quoted.

Search Criteria(Input Fields)

Manufacturer

Manufacturers listed are those that build cars to European M1 standards. They do not include makers of low-volume cars, or those that build 4 wheeled 'L' class vehicles.

Model

Models are listed under the name of the manufacturer or importer.
Model definitions are taken from the EC Type Approval documentation, so may differ slightly from final commercial descriptions that include trim levels.
Only models registered since the year 2000, or at least sharing the same engine specification as that of a similar vehicle manufactured from the year 2000 are included within 'The Habitable Zone' Database of vehicles. Many models have Coupe, Hatchback, Saloon, Estate, Cabriolet and Convertible variations. It should be noted that The Habitable Zone does not distinguish between these types and while Fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions can remain consistent within type variation there can be considerable differences (especially in heavier Cabriolet and Convertible types). Please note that the information shown on the registration certificate will determine the actual Fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.
No Commercial vehicles, including Vans are included within 'The Habitable Zone' Database of Vehicles.

Year

Fuel consumption and CO2 data for cars can differ substantially depending on when they were registered. The Habitable Zone has grouped models within date ranges where the Engine specifications remain consistent.
A new car is one that is currently available to buy or lease from a dealer and has not been previously registered.

Engine Size

Engine capacity in cubic centimetres.

Fuel Type

Mainly petrol and diesel, although a number of cars powered by alternative fuels are shown on this tool. Examples may include:

• Electricity - a car that is propelled by one or more electric motors, using electrical energy stored in batteries.
• Hybrid-electric, Petrol electric or Diesel electric - all terms used to describe a car using both a traditionally fuelled engine and stored electrical energy produced on board the vehicle to propel the car.
• Plug-in electric hybrid - a term used to describe any car that will run on both stored electricity, and energy provided by an internal combustion engine.
• Batteries can be charged from the engine and via a mains charger, or by electricity generated from another external source.

Note: Fuel types not included currently are :

• CNG - car that runs on Compressed Natural Gas.
• LPG - car that runs on Liquified Petroleum Gas.

Gearbox / transmission

For the purpose of this search choose automatic or manual. In the results page you will see that manufacturers use a large range of acronyms to describe the gearbox being used. The following is not a complete list:

• A - automatic
• A4 - automatic 4 speed 
• 4Atx2 - automatic 4 speed, high and low range gearing
• AV - AV automatic variable
• A5 - automatic 5 speed
• A7 - automatic 7 speed 
• A/SAT5 - automatic / semi-automatic transmission 5 speed
• ASM - automatic shift manual
• AWD - all wheel drive
• CVT - continuously variable transmission 
• D - diesel engined vehicles
• D6 - direct shift 6 speed
• DCT7 - double-clutch transmission 7 speed
• M - manual
• M5 - manual 5 speed
• 5MTx2 - manual 5 speed with high and low range gearing
• MTA - mannual transmission with automatic changing
• M6 - manual 6 speed
• M6/S6 - manual 6 speed / sequential 6 speed
• MULTI5 - multimode 5 speed
• QA5 - four-wheel drive, Auto 5 speed
• QA6 - four-wheel drive, Auto 6 speed
• QD6 - quattro direct shift 6 speed
• QM5 - four-wheel drive, Manual 5 speed
• QM6 - four-wheel drive, Manual 6 speed
• S/A6 - semi-automatic transmission 6 speed
• SAT5 - semi-automatic transmission 5 speed
• SAT6 - semi-automatic transmission 6 speed
• SMG7 - sequential manual gearshift 7 speed

Annual Kilometres

The Annual Kilometres field defaults to an average 18k (12k miles). It is used in conjunction with Engine Efficiency and Fuel Price data to determine 'The Bottom Line' Figures. This is a User input field so can be updated appropriately.

In Running

The Selected Car Model will be represented by a generic image of the Car Category. The cars are categorised by the following Classification method:

• A - Mini Cars
• B - Small Cars
• C - Medium Cars
• D - Large Cars
• E - Executive Cars
• F - Luxury Cars
• J - Sports Utility Cars
• M - Multi Purpose Cars
• R - Roadster

For Petrol and Diesel cars the Fuel Tank Capacity is used to determine the number of full refills the selected car requires to complete its annual Kilometres. This information is expressed in the number of Fuel Pumps passed. Please note that as each pump is passed the calculated Fuel cost and CO2 Emissions is added to the Year to date Sum fields. For Electric cars the Battery Range is used to the number of full recharges the selected car requires to complete its annual Kilometres. This information is expressed in the number of Fuel Pumps passed. Please note that as each pump is passed the calculated Fuel cost is added to the Year to date Sum field.

Results Fields

Please note that Engine efficiency is based on the Manufacturer declared values at time of manufacture at the time of manufacture and no adjustment has been made to any calculations to account for any possible loss of performance over time.

Fuel Costs

Shows the Annual fuel cost for the selected car for Current year

The Bottom Line(Annually)

Please note that the Annual row of figures will default to the Current Year but can represent any year specified by the user (See Fuel Slide notes).
Historical Fuel Prices are based on National historical fuel prices whereas Future fuel prices have factored in a 5% increase annually.
Historical Car Tax values are based on actual National Costs for the selected car. There is no increase factored into calculation for future years and any future Car tax increases will be updated by The Habitable Zone.

Annually(Car Tax)

This field expresses the Car Tax ?Amt associated with the Selected car. Please note that cars registered before June 2008 have their tax calculated based on Engine size while cars registered after June 2008 have their car tax calculated on CO2 emissions. Please note that the information is only a guide and that the figures shown on the registration certificate will determine the amount of tax payable.

Annually(Fuel Cost)

For Petrol and Diesel cars this field is calculated by multiplying the Litres/100k figure (Metric combined fuel consumption (l/100km))associated with the selected car by the Annual Kilometres figure entered by the user (divided by 100) and multiplying the result by the average National fuel price per Litre (published Quarterly).

Metric combined fuel consumption (l/100km)

The combined figure presented is for the urban and the extra-urban cycle together. It is therefore an average of the two other parts of the fuel consumption test, urban and extra-urban cycles, weighted by the distance covered in each part.

Metric urban fuel consumption (l/100km) (cold)

The urban test cycle is carried out in a laboratory at an ambient temperature of twenty degrees celsius to thirty degrees Celsius on a rolling road from a cold start, ie the engine has not run for several hours. The cycle consists of a series of accelerations, steady speeds, decelerations and idling. Maximum speed is 31 mph (50 km/h), average speed 12 mph (19 km/h) and the distance covered is 2.5 miles (4 km).

Metric extra-urban fuel consumption (l/100km)

The extra-urban cycle is conducted immediately following the urban cycle and consists roughly half steady speed driving and the remainder accelerations, decelerations and some idling. Maximum speed is 75 mph (120 km/h), average speed is 39 mph (63 km/h) and the distance covered is 4.3 miles (7 km).
For Electric Cars this field is calculated by multiplying the kWh/100k figure associated with the vehicle by the Annual Kilometres figure entered by the user (divide by 100) and multiplying the result by the average National KWh fuel price per kWh for Daytime electricity (Published Quarterly).

Weighted results

CO2 emissions and fuel consumption for plug-in hybrid vehicles is measured in two conditions, one with the battery freshly charged and another where it is significantly depleted. It is expressed as "weighted, combined": a weighted average of the two figures obtained on the combined cycle, based on an assumption that the vehicle is driven 16 miles (25km) beyond its maximum electric range, using the engine as required without recharging.

Annually(CO2)

When petrol or diesel is burnt for energy the main by-products are water vapour and carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon dioxide is the most important of the greenhouse gases which are contributing to climate change. A car will produce on average twice its own weight in CO2 annually.

The Bottom Line(Sum(n years))

Please note that the Sum (n y) row of figures will default to the Current Year but can represent any sum of year specified by the user (See Fuel Slide notes).
Historical Fuel Prices are based on National historical fuel prices whereas Future fuel prices have factored in a 5% increase annually.
Historical Car Tax values are based on actual National Costs for the selected car. There is no increase factored into calculation for future years and any future Car tax increases will be updated by The Habitable Zone.

Sum(Car Tax)

This field is calculated similarly to the Annual (Car Tax) but summed for each year selected by the user via the 'Fuel Prices' Slide.

Sum(Fuel Cost)

For Petrol and Diesel cars this field is calculated similarly to the Annual (Fuel Cost) but summed for each year selected by the user via the 'Fuel Prices' Slide.
For Electric Cars this field is calculated similarly to the Annual (Fuel Cost) but summed for each year selected by the user via the 'Fuel Prices' Slide

Sum (CO₂)

this field is calculated similarly to the Annual (CO2) but summed for each year selected by the user via the 'Fuel Prices' Slide.

Vehicle Stats

The 'Vehicle Stats' Bar chart shows the Distribution of Irish cars based on Co2 emissions ratings. In addition it will outline where the selected car falls within this distribution chart (updated Quarterly).
Please note that for cars registered from July 2008 then these Bands apply when calculating car tax. Cars registered before July 2008 have their tax calculated based on Engine Size and technically do not fall within these Bands however the Bar Chart does accurately reflect where they would fall were they taxed based on emissions.

Fuel Prices Slide (Line Chart)

This Slide can be used to evaluate the Cost and CO2 'The Bottom Line' figures for a year other than the default current year. Alternatively it can be used to evaluate Cost and CO2 figures over a user specified range of years.

Recommendations

The Habitable Zone provides a facility whereby the user can evaluate New Car Models within the Category/Sub Category of the originally selected Model. This facility will list (where applicable) the most efficient Diesel, Petrol and Electric alternatives provided by each Manufacturer. Categories and Sub-categories are broken down as follows:

• A - Mini Cars
• B - Small Cars
• C - Medium Cars
• Small Family Car
• Sports Compact
• D - Large Cars
• Large Family Car
• Compact Executive Car
• E - Executive Cars
• F - Luxury Cars
• Luxury Car
• Grand Tourer
• Supercar
• Convertible
• J - Sports Utility Cars
• Mini SUV
• Compact SUV
• Mid-size SUV
• Full-Size SUV
• M - Multi Purpose Cars
• Mini MPV
• Compact MPV
• Large MPV
• R - Roadster

Compare Cars

The Habitable Zone provides a facility whereby it can compare 'Recommended' Cars with both the originally selected car and subsequent recommended car(s).
The 'Cost(n)' field is a summation of the Car Tax and the Fuel Price.
The 'Saving(n)' field reflects the overall cost saving in terms of Car tax and Fuel Price.
The 'Link' field allows the user to link to the National Website corresponding to the Recommended alternative.
The above fields within 'Compare Cars' can be influenced by the 'Fuel Price' Slide.

Compare Cars

Various acronyms are used in the model descriptions. This is not a complete list:

• 4WD - four-wheel drive
• 4 x  - four-wheel drive
• 4x4 - four wheeled vehicle with four-wheel drive
• bhp - brake horse power
• CC - Cylinder Capacity
• Di - direct injection diesel engine
• DID - direct injection diesel
• DOHC - dual overhead camshaft
• DPF(S) - diesel particulate filter (system)
• FAP - particulate filter
• FDR - final drive ratio
• GDi - gasoline direct diesel
• Hybrid - combined internal combustion engine and electric motor and battery
• i - fuel injection
• km/h - kilometres per hour
• kW - kilowatt
• l/100km - litres per 100 kilometres
• LWB - long wheelbase
• mpg - miles per gallon
• mph - miles per hour
• PAS - power assisted steering
• SOHC - single overhead camshaft
• SWB - short wheelbase
• TD - turbo diesel
• TDdi - turbo diesel direct injection
• TDi - turbo charged direct injection diesel
• TDI - turbo diesel with intercooler
• TOD - torque on demand