In its most significant overhaul since the program began more than 30 years ago, the Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Transportation has unveiled the next generation of fuel economy labels.
The labels, which start in 2013, will be affixed to all new passenger cars and trucks and will provide the following information for the first time:
- New ways to compare energy use and cost between new technology cars that use electricity and conventional cars.
- Estimates on how much can be saved or spent on fuel over the next five years compared to the average new vehicle.
- Ratings on how models compare for smog emissions and emissions of pollution that affect climate change.
- How much fuel or electricity it takes to drive 100miles.
- The driving range and charging times of electric vehicles.
- A QR code that allows users of smart phones to access online information about how models compare on fuel economy and other environmental factors.
In the case of electric vehicles, the labels include both kilowatt-hours per 100miles and miles per gallon of petrol-equivalent. The latter converts kilowatt-hours into gallons of petrol and reflects the more familiar mpg-type approach for a fuel that is different from petrol.
Meanwhile, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles can operate in two of three operating modes and so they have the most complex technology for a vehicle label. The aim therefore was to provide as much information as possible about each operating mode – all-electric, blended and petrol-only. For example, they show only the combined MPG or MPGe for each mode rather than also including city and highway estimates.
