Autoblog

EPA, DOT unveil updated window stickers [w/video]

Autoblog Staff — Wed, 25 May 2011 11:27:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Government/Legal

Electric vehicle label - Click above for more labels

Updated United States fuel economy labeling, unveiled on Wednesday, includes additional information on plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles, and highlights other advanced technologies aimed at reducing gasoline consumption and tailpipe emissions.

The redesigned window stickers, required on all 2013 models, enables consumers to quickly compare fuel savings for different types of vehicles, whether they rely on gasoline or some type of alternative fuel. For example, the labels display estimates of how much fuel or electricity would be required to drive 100 miles and how much time is needed to charge a plug-in vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf.

Lisa Jackson, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), says the reason for the redesigned labels is to give consumers, "the best possible information about which cars on the lot offer the greatest fuel economy and the best environmental performance." The EPA developed the updated labels with assistance from the Department of Transportation.

Click here (pdf) for a detailed look at all of the revised fuel economy labels and follow the jump to view video on the labels' Smartphone "QR Code." Let us know your thoughts on the updated labels by voicing your opinion in the Comments, as well.

Continue reading EPA, DOT unveil updated window stickers [w/video]

EPA, DOT unveil updated window stickers [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 May 2011 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

EPA and DOT drop letter grades from window stickers

Autoblog Staff — Mon, 23 May 2011 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

EPA/DOT Proposed Fuel Economy Labels - Click above for high-res versions

It seems that the Average Joe isn't the only one who thinks that the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed letter grades on windows stickers are both confusing and too subjective for the government to assign.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the Obama administration has scrapped plans to assign letter grades - ranging from A to D - to passenger vehicles based on fuel efficiency. Instead, the updated labels, which will reportedly be unveiled next week, will include more info to help buyers judge a vehicle's projected gasoline costs and CO2 emissions.

Automakers have argued that the letter grade proposal would put the government in the position of making value judgments, which some auto industry lobbyists vehemently oppose. Says Auto Alliance spokesman Wade Newton:

The addition of a large, brightly colored letter grade may confuse the public about what is being graded and it risks alienating the consumer who has a valid need for a vehicle that does not achieve an 'A'" based on greenhouse gas emissions.

Dan Becker, director of Safe Climate Campaign, counters:

It is deeply disappointing that the Obama administration abandoned [assigning letter grades]. It's appalling that the car makers, some of whom we bailed out, bludgeoned the administration into submission.

The WSJ quotes a person familiar with the administration's internal deliberations as saying, "Even within agencies, there were differences of opinion." What do you think, would letter grades be too subjective?

EPA and DOT drop letter grades from window stickers originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 May 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

PSA: EPA now offering used car window stickers

Chris Shunk — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:21:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Government/Legal

Thanks to the Environmental Protection Agency, new car buyers always have the ability to read fuel economy numbers on the window sticker of any car on the lot. But if you're looking at a used vehicle, the same efficiency info isn't always readily available.

Consumer Reports reports that the EPA has changed that little problem by posting the fuel efficiency information of used vehicles on its fueleconomy.gov website. These aren't new fuel economy numbers, but the EPA did apply the updated fuel economy logic that was instituted in 2008. So if your original 1995 Honda Civic was once quoted at 40 miles per gallon, the new fuel economy number is 33 mpg. The EPA is tracking fuel economy dating back to 1984, too, so car buyers can go back before many Autoblog readers were even born.

The EPA is hoping that anyone selling a vehicle will use the tool as well. Dealers, for example, can print up the window sticker and place it on the window of the vehicle being sold, giving the "sold as is, no warranty" caveat some competition on the passenger-side window.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

PSA: EPA now offering used car window stickers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: House members call on EPA to ditch automobile letter grades

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:32:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

EPA/DOT Proposed Fuel Economy Labels - Click above for high-res versions

It seems John Q. Public isn't the only one who thinks the letter grades the Environmental Protection Agency was planning to put on new car window stickers are confusing. Need a refresher? Check out our previous breakdown on the two window sticker options the EPA was proposing.

According to a report from CNBC, 53 members of the House sent a letter to the EPA in opposition to the proposed new labels. The main sticking point is that the House disagrees that only electric cars and plug-in hybrids should get the highest grades of A and A+.

As an alternative, the House is reportedly suggesting that the EPA figure out a way to continue promoting the tried-and-true miles-per-gallon rating system. It should be pointed out, though, that the old method of rating vehicles using an assigned mpg figure has its detractors too... and for good reason.

Gallery: EPA/DOT Proposed Fuel Economy Labels

[Source: CNBC]

Report: House members call on EPA to ditch automobile letter grades originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments