New Fuel Economy Label: Open for public comment 60 days
August 31st, 2010
The Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have proposed changes to the motor vehicle fuel economy label.
- Proposed electric vehicle label. Image by Environmental Protection Agency
MI Auto Times has outlined some of the alterations suggested below:
- Two labels proposed
- One label proposes grades on a scale from A+ to D.
- Second label will be more traditional
- Labels incorporate slider bar comparing emissions to those of other vehicles
- Labels expected to be finalized and used in 2010 model year cars
- Labels retain same information on city and highway mpg
- Retain same information for estimated driving costs based on 15,000 miles a year
- Adds comparative information such as:
- mileage
- greenhouse gas contribution
- air pollutants from tailpipe emissions
- Plug-in vehicles will have different labels than gasoline-only cars
- Smart phone interactive tool for additional information
- Identifies driving range of electric, plug-in hybrid electric, and compressed natural gas vehicles
- Provides fuel economy for each operating mode (e.g., all-electric, blended, gasoline-only)
- Energy consumption measurement
- Electric vehicles show energy use by miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent and kilowatt-hours per 100 miles
Gasoline vehicle proposed label. Image by Environmental Protection Agency
The full details of the changes can be viewed by clicking this PDF. A public comment period must close before the labels are finalized. To let the EPA and NHTSA know your opinion, send an email to newlabels@epa.gov or visit www.regulations.gov
What do you think about the new labels? Would still buy a Ford F150 or GMC Sierra if they received a bad grade? Post your comments below.
