Used cars benefit from energy labelling system

Used cars in the UK will boast energy labels that show buyers what the fuel costs, road tax and CO2 emissions of the vehicle will be. It also shows the make and model of the car and the new scheme is aimed at showing used car buyers what the environmental and fuel costs will be if they choose to buy the vehicle. It is called the Used Car Fuel Economy Label and it will show the estimated costs of fuel over 12,000 miles, which is the annual average mileage done by a car.

The new label can be used on cars that date back to March of 2001 and it will show the miles per gallon figures based on 12,000 miles per year. The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) created the new system and they had support from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders as well as the government and the Retail Motor Industry Federation.

Car dealers are not required by law to take part in the new scheme but the voluntary initiative has so far attracted 1,000 car dealers to agree to provide their customers with the labels. This makes up 94 per cent of the UK car dealers but private sellers do not use the labels. A label for new cars has been in place in the UK since July 2005 and has so far proved to be hugely successful in keeping consumers well informed. The Minister for Transport Sadiq Khan said that the new addition was made to the used car business in recognition to the public showing more concern for the environment and the impact that each individual makes.