| When it comes to buying a new car there are a lot of | | | | two years old, or they can apply labels to all cars that |
| things that need to be considered before the final | | | | have been manufactured since 2001. For used cars |
| purchase is decided on. Typically a budget needs to be | | | | the labels will be very similar to those placed on new |
| set and a list of must have features drawn up that will | | | | vehicles. There will be information on the make and |
| help you choose. However, when you get to the | | | | model of the car as well as it's co2 emissions, MPG |
| garage remembering everything you need to ask | | | | and an approximation of the fuel consumption over |
| about a new car can be tricky especially if get | | | | 12,000 miles. |
| distracted by the look and feel of the latest models on | | | | The labels will be created by the VCA which is an |
| display. You may not always think about the fuel | | | | agency of the Department for Transport. Car dealers |
| consumption over time or how environmentally sound | | | | simply need to request the label for the relevant cars |
| the vehicle is but these things will impact on your | | | | on their forecourt and then print them off via an |
| finances throughout the life of the car. | | | | internet link. This system will ensure that all the |
| To provide consumers with the information they need | | | | information is standardised by one central body and |
| to make the right choice car fuel labels were | | | | make it an easy process for dealers to manage. At |
| introduced for new cars back in 2005 and have been | | | | present private sales are not included in the scheme. |
| a feature of new car showrooms ever since. They | | | | For many people this scheme will provide them with |
| detail information on the estimated running costs of the | | | | the information on which to base their car purchasing |
| new vehicle, the average fuel consumption as well as | | | | decisions. |
| its environmental performance. The labels are easily | | | | Nowadays it is not just the initial financial outlay to |
| colour coded and set out to provide easily digestible | | | | purchase the car that drivers need to consider, but |
| information to any potential purchaser. An extension of | | | | also the costs involved in running and maintaining the |
| the scheme to include used cars was proposed as a | | | | vehicle as well as car insurance and breakdown |
| voluntary initiative in August 2009. | | | | services. Current opinion polls show that support for |
| Designed by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership | | | | the initiative is positive, with many motorists stating that |
| (LowCVP) and backed by the government and other | | | | in the past they have not been given sufficient |
| motor industry groups, the introduction of fuel economy | | | | information about the fuel consumption of a used car. |
| labels to used cars has already been implemented by | | | | Fuel efficiency was also rated highly as a factor that |
| a large number of dealers across the country. Used | | | | would affect future car purchases so the extension of |
| cars dealers participating in the scheme can decide | | | | these labels to used cars should provide the |
| whether to label just the cars they sell that are under | | | | information that motorists require. |