camelot-forum.co.uk

Hey folks, I was looking to upgrade the DRL's of the 2015 Leaf
But cannot see any LEGAL (ECE-approved) bulbs, having looked at the osram (uk) site they have lately updated info for the 27th of Jan 2022 as still being illegal if you get on the wrong side of a copper, that & i'm not wanting to get it wrong regardless.
Whilst it is unlikely to be checked you just never know, & i'd like to LED the EV to reduce draw & squeak a wee bit more from a charge & reduce load on the 12v where possible.

Are there ECE-approved LED automotive bulbs anywhere yet, or is it just another slack grey legal area, ...the govt website mentions lowering emissions via LED in vehicles, but yet...

That govt link..
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... ing-lights

"Evidence
Research has shown that DRLs are likely to reduce multiple vehicle daytime accidents and fatalities by up to 6% once all vehicles are equipped. DRL are likely to result in a small increase in fuel consumption and CO² emissions of around 0.5% but this is expected to be lower when LEDs are used in place of filament light sources"

Our skoda Yeti is 2015, & that has a lot of damn lights!
I'd like to sort that out too, it seems farcical that this element of UK / Euro / Decarbonisation decarbonisation drive, low energy approval is still in the bloody hinterlands for millions of car on the road.
(consider that document as published on 1st Nov 2010)

I understand that the reason why LED retrofit light bulbs are not approved is that the individual LEDs would be in a different position to the filament in the traditional bulb. This the performance of the light might not be the same due to the precise aligning of the reflectors and fresnel (like) elements of the lens.

Perhaps with the increasing use of filament strips in LED bulbs, as in the Dubai lamp, this problem could be overcome and approved LEDs bulbs could be available.

That's the thing filament style LED strips have been around for 6+ years!? as well, something ought have changed.

There is a huge problem of people “upgrading” their headlamps with eBay-quality corncob LED bulbs. These are much brighter than design and don’t give the regulation beam shape. The new laws have been written in that context.

Stinsy wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 6:58 am There is a huge problem of people “upgrading” their headlamps with eBay-quality corncob LED bulbs. These are much brighter than design and don’t give the regulation beam shape. The new laws have been written in that context.

Which means that car designers have neglected that aspect of design, as have govt who could have got on top of this for the sake of "then new vehicles" being able to streamline vehicular pollution in a small but significant manner for the common good.

Opportunity wasted, & a whole market including the big players who will sell you illegal to use on public road "off road kit" without question
You may get stopped for an illegal vehicle on an e-scooter, you will rarely get stopped for the wrong bulbs in a car, (in part night time, direction & speed of travel) which has also rendered itself unfit for the road, but typically won't face the likelihood of confiscation.

I've understood the reflectors element obviously, that's why I was referring to DRL's which are not typically part of the auto industries main light housing, many being low slung, pointed downwards attention grabbers of low wattage, ..but still the difference a non filament bulb could make.