Overview - ISO 24162:2022 (Test method for energy consumption of refuse collection vehicles)
ISO 24162:2022 specifies a reproducible test method to measure and compare energy consumption of refuse collection vehicles (RCVs). The standard covers drive units, chassis, body constructions and lifting devices for RCVs described in EN 1501 (all parts except EN 1501‑4). It defines a synthesized tour (reference area / test circuit) and data requirements so results from on‑track testing and software simulations (e.g., VECTO) can be compared. The aim is to enable consistent evaluation of environmental efficiency and produce representative energy consumption figures for procurement, design and policy decisions.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and objective: Uniform procedure for comparing energy consumption across different RCV configurations (drive unit, chassis, body, lifting devices).
- Reference vehicles: Applies to RCVs per EN 1501 parts (1,2,3,5) with vehicle configuration documented.
- Test circuit & conditions:
- Circular course on asphalt or concrete, gradients ≤ ±2%, curve radius ≥ 15 m.
- Environmental controls: specified temperature ranges, air pressure ~1 013 hPa, wind speed ≤ 5 m/s, dry surface.
- Load simulation: Hydraulic load simulation for compaction and lifting systems (installation per body manufacturer).
- Measurement and runs:
- Measurement runs ≤ 60 min; at least three runs per condition with repeatability requirement (minimum value ≥ 95% of maximum).
- Energy reported in kilowatt‑hours (kWh) using specified conversion factors.
- Fuel measured with calibrated methods (e.g., measuring turbines); battery tests count stored battery energy only (charging losses excluded).
- Diesel particulate filter regeneration excluded from test energy accounting.
- Working and driving cycles:
- Driving cycles recorded as speed profiles; working cycles represented by torque vs speed curves for auxiliary drives.
- Test bench procedures include conditioning to steady state, high‑frequency sampling (e.g., 10 Hz), repeated cycles and averaging (manufacturer provides working cycle data).
- Data outputs: Test data formatted for software tools and for generating a representative environmental efficiency ID.
Applications - who uses ISO 24162
- Waste fleet managers and local authorities assessing vehicle energy performance.
- RCV manufacturers and body builders for R&D, benchmarking and design optimization.
- Test laboratories and certification bodies performing on‑track or test‑bench energy evaluations.
- Procurement teams and policymakers requiring standardized energy/CO2 comparisons for tenders.
- Software developers integrating validated driving/working cycles into simulation tools (e.g., VECTO).
Related standards
- EN 1501 series (Refuse collection vehicles - general and safety requirements): Parts 1, 2, 3 and 5 are normative references in ISO 24162.
- VECTO is cited as an example software tool for vehicle energy simulations (informative reference, not an endorsement).
Keywords: ISO 24162:2022, refuse collection vehicles, RCV energy consumption testing, test circuit, load simulation, VECTO, driving cycle, working cycle, energy measurement, hydraulic load simulation.
