Consumers and environment: availibility of information on fuel economy of new passengers cars

OBJECTIVE: The proposed directive aims to provide potential purchasers of new cars with the relevant information on fuel consumption in an effort to guide their choice to more fuel efficient models. SUBSTANCE: The Commission hopes to influence the market to create a demand for cars which are more economical on fuel and thus to oblige manufacturers to adapt to this demand. The proposed directive aims to make information available to purchasers of new cars in four ways: (1) a label indicating the fuel consumption and average CO2 emissions of the vehicle; (2) dissemination of a compact guide listing the fuel consumption characteristics of all new vehicles on the market; (3) an information poster to be displayed in showrooms; (4) data on fuel consumption to be included in all promotional material produced and used by manufacturers and dealers to market new vehicles. This proposal forms part of the general Community strategy to reduce CO2 emissions and should be considered as a means of achieving the Kyoto objectives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. �