by Brianna Crandall — May 27, 2011—The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled new fuel economy labels May 25 that will help fleet managers to take advantage of the increased efficiency standards achieved under the Obama Administration and to save money at the pump starting this year.
The new labels, which are the most dramatic overhaul to fuel economy labels since the program began more than 30 years ago, will provide more comprehensive fuel efficiency information, including estimated annual fuel costs, savings, and information on each vehicle’s environmental impact.
Starting with model year 2013, the improved fuel economy labels will be required to be affixed to all new passenger cars and trucks—both conventional gasoline-powered and “next-generation” cars, such as plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles. The new labels will appear in showrooms early in 2012, when 2013 models begin arriving. Automakers may also voluntarily adopt the new labels earlier for model year 2012 vehicles.
The new labels underscore the benefits of the passenger car and truck fuel economy rule adopted by EPA and DOT in 2010. The rule is expected to dramatically increase the energy efficiency of cars and trucks built in model years 2012 through 2016, saving 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the life of the program and the average consumer $3,000 in fuel costs.
In July 2011, the Obama Administration plans to finalize the first-ever national fuel and emissions standards for commercial trucks, vans and buses built in 2014 to 2018. These standards are expected to save hundreds of millions of barrels of oil and promote the deployment of alternative fuels. The Administration also expects to announce the next generation of standards for model year 2017-2025 passenger vehicles in September 2011.
For more information, see the EPA Web site.
