New Fuel Economy Label Helps Consumers Compare Vehicles
To help consumers make more informed decisions about the cars they buy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designed a new window sticker chock full of information about fuel economy. All new cars, light trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) produced after Sept. 1, 2007, will feature the redesigned window sticker, which includes the estimated annual cost of fueling the vehicle, how the fuel economy of a particular vehicle compares to others within its class, and a Web site link where consumers can go for more information.
"EPA's updated fuel economy estimates will help Americans avoid sticker shock when filling up at the pump," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "By considering fuel use when shopping for new cars and trucks, consumers are in the driver's seat to save money and protect our environment." Johnson said that taking EPA's fuel economy information into account when shopping for a vehicle can help consumers save money, as well as cut down on air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Fuel Economy Label Reflects New Method for Estimating Gas Mileage
The changes coincide with the adoption of new methods to determine the miles per gallon (MPG) estimates that appear on the window stickers. The new methods, which took effect beginning with model year 2008 vehicles, will bring MPG estimates closer to a vehicle’s actual fuel use by including factors such as driving speed, aggressive acceleration, air conditioning use and driving in cold temperatures.
"From AAA's perspective, it is about a simple truth: consumers want to know that the information they see on a government-sanctioned label reasonably reflects what they will experience on the road," said Robert Darbelnet, president and CEO of AAA, which has more than 50 million members. "We believe that the new EPA labeling system will provide motorists a more realistic idea of their fuel performance. This is clearly a step in the right direction."
New Features in EPA Fuel Economy Labels
The new, improved EPA fuel economy label includes the following features:
- New Methods: The label shows the estimated city MPG at the top left, and highway MPG at the top right. The estimates on 2008 and later models are determined using new, more realistic methods for calculating fuel economy. During the transition year, shoppers should compare models that are built in the same model year.
- Estimated Annual Fuel Costs: The center of the label provides estimated annual fuel costs based on a given number of miles and fuel price, also listed on the label. Use this information to estimate fuel costs for this vehicle, and to compare fuel costs for different models.
- Expected City Range: The estimated city MPG range appears at the top left, under the main city MPG estimated number. Most drivers can expect to achieve city fuel economy within this range.
- Expected Highway Range: The estimated highway MPG range appears at the top right, under the main highway MPG estimated number. Most drivers can expect to achieve highway fuel economy within this range.
- Compare to Other Vehicles: The lower center of the label gives a combined city/highway estimate for the vehicle, and shows where that value falls on a bar scale which gives the highest and lowest fuel economy of all other vehicles in its class (e.g. SUVs, minivans, compact cars, etc). Use this information to compare the fuel economy of this vehicle to all others within its class.
- Your actual mileage will vary: The label includes a reminder that there are many reasons why your actual fuel economy may vary from the estimates.
- For more information: The label also provides a Web address where you can find more information.
For more information about the new window sticker and a closer look at the sticker design, visit the EPA Web site.
Source: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provided some of the information for this article.
