BTC History

The BTC Testing Advisory Group was originally formed in February 1963 by the petroleum industries and motor manufacturers in the UK. It was then known as The British Technical Council of the Motor and Petroleum Industries.

Until July 2001, BTC represented UK companies in the European forum of CEC, The Co-ordinating European Council for the Development of Performance Tests for Transportation Fuels, Lubricants and Other Fluids. The CEC is responsible for the development of, and promoting the use of, standard test methods for assessing the performance of automotive fuels, fluids or lubricants. From 1st July 2001 the CEC is run by the major European Trade Associations - ACEA, ATIEL, ATC and CONCAWE who jointly decide on the need for each test.

In July 2005 members of BTC, a registered company limited by guarantee, decided to change its Memorandum and Articles of Association, as well as its name, in order to better reflect the main interests of the organisation. The Company was managed by 2 Directors and a Company Secretary. Directors were voted in from the membership and usually rotated on a 2-yearly basis.

From 1st July 2012, the new BTC has been established and is now operated and managed by PDC. This change has enabled the annual membership subscription to be significantly reduced and the organisation simplified. The requirement for Directors has now ceased and the main Laboratory Management Committee will have representation from each of the BTC groups in order to enhance communication and encourage pro-activity.

Through a hierarchy of specialist groups, the BTC is able to bring focus to issues affecting its members. Membership is no longer restricted to UK registered companies. It is open to all interested parties working in the automotive testing industry.

Since its formation, the scope and work of BTC has grown considerably because of environmental and energy concerns, vehicle performance enhancements and extended service intervals.

The BTC continues to face the challenges of the ever-changing advancements in automotive engineering. These include continuing exhaust emission reduction, improved fuel economy in passenger cars and commercial vehicles, extended service intervals, and cost effective optimization of fuels and lubricants to match the needs of future engines.

An Introduction to BTC Activities