The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation issued two new labels for the fuel-economy stickers that will be affixed to new car windows. The designs are scheduled to appear in 2012.One design would feature a large letter grade for a car's fuel economy and emissions levels. The other design would feature numbers that include the car's miles-per-gallon score and the estimated annual cost of filling its gas tank or battery.
The agencies were acting on the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act, which charged them to rate vehicles for fuel economy, greenhouse gases and smog-forming pollutants.
According to the agencies, almost 80 percent of 2010 vehicles will land between C+ and B. So far, the only vehicles getting an A (defined as 40 mpg equivalent or better), are hybrids and electric cars. There is no F rating, the agencies said, because all vehicles will have met Clean Air Act standards.
Letter grading could affect sales of some of the best selling cars and trucks. Of 675 pickup and SUV models in 2010, only eight models reach B+; most get B- or below.
The EPA sought the advice of the automotive industry, academics, expert panels and consumers. Agency focus groups, reviewed reports on how consumers shop for new vehicles and ran an online survey on the different labels. The expert panel's message was to keep it simple.
With the exception of Nissan, the automotive industry did not like the letter grade. Nissan likes the letter grade, because the 0 emission Leaf will very likely to get an A.
Academics, expert panels and consumers all seemed to prefer the letter grade. The label with the letter grade helps makes the value of fuel efficiency clearer.
Related Posts
America's New Car Ratings: Consumer Concerns and Marketing
House Lawmakers Oppose New Car Ratings
EPA's New Mileage Estimates for the Volt and the Leaf
The Chevrolet Volt Versus the Nissan Leaf
Volt Wins Green Car of the Year
Video: Chevrolet Volt Test Drive
Video: Chevrolet Volt Vs. Nissan Leaf
Video Trailer: Revenge of the Electric Car
Competition in the 2011 Greener Car Market
Improving Battery Technology Key to Greener Cars
Innovative Business Models are Driving the Auto Sector
Electric Vehicles Need New Business Models
Greening Vehicle Fleets
Competition in the Green Vehicle Market
Germany and the Global Competition for EV Supremacy
Volkswagen's Dirty Automotive Brands
Porsche and Audi`s Greener Vehicles
Volkswagen's Greener Vehicles
European Greener Cars
Electric Vehicles Combat Global Warming
Electric Vehicles Combat Smog
Electric Vehicle Bill Passes Energy Committee
Governments and the Growth of EVs
Government Investment Fuels Greener Vehicles
Private Public Cooperation Behind SA Joule
Greener Commercial Transport Vehicles
Electric Vehicles Will Drive Demand for Lithium
Electric Vehicle Battery Technology Obstacles and Solutions
American Electric Vehicle Strategy
Beneficiaries of Chinese Government Investment in Electric Vehicles
Chinese Government Investment in Electric Vehicles
Beneficiaries of US Government Investment in Electric Vehicles
Government Investment Fuels Greener Vehicles
GM Breakthrough Reduces Emissions
Toyota and Tesla Making Electric Sedan
Toyota's Greener Vehicles
Honda's CR-Z and Second Generation Hybrids
Honda's Greener Vehicles
GM's Greener Vehicles
Ford's Greener Vehicles
Korean (Hyundai & Kia) Greener Cars
Nissan's Greener Vehicles
Jaguar XJ: A Greener Luxury Car
E-Range: World's First Fully Electric 4x4
The FIAT 500 is Coming to America
The Winners of the UK's What Car? Green Awards 2010
0 comments:
Post a Comment