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Car efficiency labels - why delay?
28 October 2002
Friends of the Earth welcomed the Government's decision today to pilot colour-coded fuel efficiency labels for new cars, but questioned why the scheme is not being introduced for all cars straightaway [1].
The colour-coded labels mirror those used successfully for fridges and washing machines and are already being used in several European countries.
Focus-group research carried out for the Government showed they would be more effective than the UK Government's existing labelling scheme.
Friends of the Earth transport campaigner, Roger Higman, said:
"Colour-coded labels have worked for fridges and washing machines. They're already being used for cars in other European countries. The Government's own research shows they could work here. Why is the Government delaying their introduction with yet another experiment? They should scrap the ineffective existing scheme and make colour-coded labels mandatory for all new cars."
But Friends of the Earth praised Ministers for going beyond the EU requirements by proposing to test the labelling of second hand models.
Roger Higman continued:
"Most new cars in Britain are bought by companies, who pay less attention to fuel economy than ordinary motorists, who largely buy their cars second hand. The labelling of second hand cars will give ordinary motorists a chance to choose more efficient models. This will have a significant effect on the re-sale value of the new cars companies buy – making them think about buying more efficient cars in the first place."
Notes
[1] See Dept for Transport announcement
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jun 2008
