Car labelling 'could improve air quality'

Car buyers might be able to do their bit to improve air quality if plans go ahead to put energy efficiency labels on new vehicles for sale.

Yesterday (August 30th 2010), the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation announced their plans to inform customers of the mileage and emissions of gases from each new vehicle through a labelling procedure, Reuters reported.

Speaking to the news agency, EPA administrator Lisa Jackson said that this would educate the market of their environmental choices to reduce the amount of emissions their vehicles release into the atmosphere and improve air quality.

A uniform grading system will be imposed on each car, with A+ being awarded to the most energy efficient vehicles and D being given to the ones that emit more gases.

DrivenData recently published a study which revealed that the average carbon dioxide emission released by a new car dropped by 5.6 per cent between 2009 and 2010, indicating that the market is becoming more concerned about the environmental impact on air quality from car fumes.

Posted by Lauren Steadman