It consists of a series of city and highway driving conditions, and is designed to simulate real-world driving patterns. The cycle begins with a cold start, and then proceeds through a series of stops, accelerations, and decelerations. The cycle ends with the vehicle idling for a period of time before shutting off.
The FTP-75 drive cycle is used by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to measure fuel economy and emissions for light-duty vehicles. It is also used by automakers to develop and calibrate fuel economy and emissions control systems.