In the context of car fuel consumption and efficiency, “extra-urban” refers to a specific driving cycle or test condition that simulates driving on open roads outside of urban or city areas. It is one of the three standard driving cycles used to determine the official fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of cars, along with the urban and combined driving cycles.
The extra-urban driving cycle represents driving conditions encountered on highways, rural roads, or suburban areas with higher speeds and less frequent stops compared to urban driving. It is designed to reflect more continuous driving at moderate to high speeds, typically between 60 km/h (37 mph) and 120 km/h (75 mph). The cycle involves varying car speeds, accelerations, and decelerations to represent real-world driving patterns outside urban environments.
During extra-urban testing, the car’s fuel consumption and emissions are measured to determine its efficiency under these specific driving conditions. The results are used to provide consumers and regulatory authorities with standardized information about a car’s fuel efficiency and emissions performance in different driving scenarios.
The extra-urban driving cycle is important because it allows for an evaluation of a car’s performance and efficiency during long-distance or highway driving, where factors such as aerodynamic drag and steady-state cruising play a significant role. This information can help consumers compare the fuel efficiency of different cars and make informed decisions.
It’s worth noting that the extra-urban driving cycle, along with other driving cycles, is used for testing and certification purposes and may not necessarily reflect real-world fuel consumption. Actual fuel consumption can vary depending on individual driving habits, road conditions, traffic congestion, and other factors.