The EPA and DOT have proposed new fuel economy window labels and they want our feedback.
The agencies proposed new rules on how auto makers should advertise a vehicle’s fuel economy across all types of vehicles including electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid cars.
The EPA and DOT are incorporating new information, labels for passenger vehicles detailing for the first time their greenhouse gas emissions, while also changing measurements of fuel economy.
The labels would include comparisons across all types of vehicles including electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid cars.
The DOT and EPA are asking consumers to pick between two labels: One version gives cars and trucks a grade from A+ to D.
One label design prominently features a letter grade to communicate the vehicle’s overall fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions performance. The new design will also provide consumers with an estimate of the expected fuel cost savings over five years compared to an average gasoline-powered vehicle of the same model year.
The second proposed label retains the current label’s focus on miles per gallon (MPG) and annual fuel costs, while updating the overall design and adding the required new comparison information on fuel economy and emissions.
Both proposed label designs expand on the content of the current label by including new information on fuel consumption, tailpipe carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and smog-related emissions. The new labels would provide information on a new web-based interactive tool that can also be accessed by smart phone. This tool would allow consumers to personalize the information about a vehicle’s performance.
For EVs and PHEVs, the agencies are proposing to show energy use by translating electricity consumption into miles per gallon equivalent. The proposed label designs for EVs also include energy use expressed in terms of kilowatt-hours per 100 miles.
One of the following window stickers released today will give buyers of 2012 model year vehicles fuel economy and efficiency data for gas and electric vehicles. U.S. regulators want you to decide which one it’ll be.[wzslider height=”400″ lightbox=”true”]
