The Final State of the Union
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Summary:
New fuel economy labels will help consumers get the best deal and protect the environment.
To strengthen our economy, save drivers money at the gas pump and reduce harmful pollution in the air we breathe, President Obama has made cleaner, innovative and more fuel efficient vehicles a priority for this administration. Today, we’re taking another step to help put more fuel efficient cars on our streets and highways.
To match a new generation of vehicles rolling off the lines in American auto plants, we’re releasing a new generation of fuel economy labels to help consumers decide which vehicle is right for them and their families. These new labels represent the most significant redesign of fuel economy labels in 35 years – and one of the most powerful tools car buyers have ever had to find a vehicle that will meet their needs and save them money.
The new fuel economy labels will still provide the familiar, and important, information about city and highway mileage for new vehicles. But they will also cover new categories to help car buyers who are comparing a wide variety of different vehicles on the market.
For the first time, comparable fuel economy and environmental ratings will be available for all new vehicles, including advanced technology vehicles like electric cars and hybrids. New car buyers will be able to compare pollution emissions ratings for green house gases and smog, and – for the first time ever – estimate how much money they can save in fuel costs compared to the average new car.
These new fuel economy labels also harness the best technology has to offer. They’ll feature a quick response -- or QR code -- for smartphones. Car buyers can download a QR reader app, scan the label and store the information to easily compare different vehicles. The website fueleconomy.gov -- already an important resource for drivers -- will be adding to its consumer information in the time ahead, including opportunities to input your own driving habits and get more information about estimated fuel costs with different vehicles.
Car buyers can expect to see the new labels as early as next year, when 2013 model vehicles hit showroom floors – and they may appear sooner if automakers voluntarily adopt them for model year 2012 vehicles. With the new labels as their guide, car buyers will be empowered to make the best decision for their families, for their budgets and for our environment.
