Archived press release

Eco-labels for cars will change buying behaviour - survey

23 February 2005

Friends of the Earth has welcomed a new survey published today revealing that more than two thirds of motorists would be influenced by the Government's new colour-coded labeling scheme for new cars [1]. The labels warn potential buyers of the car's impact on global warming. But the environmental campaign group says that increasing tax on gas-guzzlers and reducing it for fuel-efficient vehicles would encourage more people to purchase greener cars.

The new labels, which will be in showrooms and websites, will be graded from red (for the biggest gas-guzzlers) through to green (for the most fuel-efficient). The voluntary scheme, which all major manufacturers have signed up to, will start later this year.

Friends of the Earth's transport campaigner, Richard Dyer, said:

"We are pleased that so many motorists appear to be concerned about the impact that cars have on the environment, and would choose less polluting models. But the Government would encourage more people to make the right choices by cutting car tax on the most fuel efficient cars and increasing it for gas guzzlers. The Chancellor must get tough on climate change in his next budget and reform Vehicle Excise Duty."

Friends of the Earth is calling on the Chancellor to introduce four new road tax bands - with £50 between each band - to encourage people to buy less-polluting cars. VED for the most polluting cars should be raised to £500 per year (within 5 years), with the cleanest, most fuel-efficient cars charged no VED (starting now) [2].

SUVs and 4x4s are amongst the most environmentally damaging, biggest gas guzzlers on Britain's roads. Despite this a Vauxhall Astra Estate pays the same VED as a 4.0 litre Land Rover Discovery, even though the Discovery churns out over twice as much carbon dioxide, the main gas causing climate change. Currently, there are not enough incentives to buy greener cars.

1. Survey by online company jamjar.com for Auto Express magazine.

2. See 2. "Reform of Vehicle Excise Duty" (PDF)

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust