The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled on May 25 new fuel economy labels for vehicles. The newest versions provide more comprehensive fuel efficiency information, including estimated annual fuel costs, savings, as well as information on each vehicle’s environmental impact. Starting with model year 2013, the fuel economy labels will be required on all new passenger cars and trucks, both conventional gasoline-powered and next generation cars such as plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles. Automakers may also voluntarily adopt the new labels earlier for model year 2012 vehicles.
For the first time, the labels will provide an estimate of how much fuel or electricity it takes to drive 100 miles. They also provide ways to compare energy use and cost between new-technology cars that use electricity and conventional cars that are gasoline-powered.
In July, the Obama Administration plans to finalize the first-ever national fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards for commercial trucks, vans, and buses built between 2014 and 2018. These standards are expected to save hundreds of millions of barrels of oil over the life of the vehicles covered and promote the development and deployment of alternative fuels, including natural gas. Check out the EPA website for more information on the new fuel economy labels.
Reprinted from EERE Network News, a free newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy.
