Millbrook, once the Vauxhall Proving Ground, has been awarded Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) facility approval for its 4WD climatic emissions chassis dynamometer.
The approval meets conditions within the new WLTP Regulations, EU 2017-1151, which also supports EU 2017-1154 for Real Driving Emissions (RDE) testing.
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This approval gives the industry confidence that Millbrook's facility, staff and procedures operate to these new regulations. It also aids the process of vehicle approval by reducing the amount of time necessary for the inspections required for each approval test to ensure that the equipment is correct.
Millbrook's first 4WD climatic emissions chassis dynamometer facility was installed and operational in late 2016. It operates at temperatures between −20°C and +50°C and is used to measure vehicle emissions (air quality), CO2, fuel consumption, electric consumption and range, performance and climatic performance. The facility uses the dynamometer to simulate RDE routes, including the full real gradient profile of each route; this can be done repeatedly at any temperature in the facility's range.
Millbrook is currently installing its second 4WD climatic emissions chassis dynamometer, together with additional soak space, Portable Emissions Measurement Systems (PEMS) workshops and 4E Powertrain rig facility. This is a significant part of the ambitious expansion of its propulsion systems test capabilities, which includes new battery test facilities, acquisition of Millbrook Revolutionary Engineering in the US and a strong recruitment drive.
"We have always taken pride in offering the best test, validation and certification services in the industry, and the addition of our 4WD dynamometer in 2016 was a major enhancement to our capabilities. VCA's approval of the facility is a welcome development," said Phil Stones, chief engineer – propulsion.
In the UK, Millbrook's test capabilities span two sites; the former Vauxhall Bedfordshire-based proving ground, originally opened in 1969, and the former Leyland trucks test facility in Leyland, Lancashire.
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