[Wimbledon]

The EPA is looking for comments on the new designs and would like your feedback here:

http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/label.htm

You can download the full EPA brochure here:

http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/label/420f10049.pdf

Proposal One

This is the PHEV sticker, to be placed on new cars like the Fisker Karma and Chevy Volt.

EV sticker, for cars like Nissan Leaf and Coda Sedan:

Article with details, from a Chevy Volt forum:

http://gm-volt.com/2010/08/30/epa-proposes-new-phev-and-ev-fuel-economy-labels-wants-your-comments/

The EPA has to adapt to changing times. New vehicle types like the Chevy Volt and Nissan LEAF require new types of fuel economy testing and labels to allow consumers to compare among them.

The agency has just released two new sets of labels, and are asking the public to comment on them to decide which will be implemented.

Included among the group are the two different labels that would be specifically used for plugin hybrids and for pure EVs.

There are two design option for each. The first gives the car a grade from A+ to D- indicating how much emissions the car releases. It does not include the emissions created to generate the electricity.

The other label design is similar to the present day label. For plug in hybrids it shows the MPGe (mile per gallon equivalents) on the left for the first all-electric miles of driving, how much gas and energy will be used to achieve it.

This is determined by the following formula:

MPGe = (miles driven) / [(total energy of all fuels consumed)/(energy of one gallon of gasoline)])

On the right it shows the miles per gallon when only gas is used. There are two different labels, one for blended PHEVs and one for EREVs (the Volt). It also includes typical fuel cost per year (electric and gas).

For pure electric cars the sticker will show MPGe in large font as well as kwh per 100 miles and annual electric cost in smaller font.

It is important to recognize the images in this post used by the EPA are only for illustration, they are not the actual Volt values.

You can download the whole brochure here which includes proposed labels for other vehicle types including conventional gas cars.

To weigh in to the EPA with your comments go here.

“We are asking the American people to tell us what they need to make the best economic and environmental decisions when buying a new car,” said EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. “New fuel economy labels will keep pace with the new generation of fuel efficient cars and trucks rolling off the line, and provide simple, straightforward updates to inform consumers about their choices in a rapidly changing market. We want to help buyers find vehicles that meet their needs, keep the air clean and save them money at the pump.”

Here is the second proposal, with "A" through "D" ratings.

What do you think of each design? Which would be easier to read to you, if you saw the sign on a new Fisker Karma's window?

I much prefer the design of the first proposal, as I think the important information is easier to understand.

That said, I expect most Americans would find the simple "A" through "D" rating scale very useful to compare between vehicles, at a glance, without car shoppers needing to dive into the various specifications.

Perhaps the EPA should add the rating scale to the first design, and achieve the best of both worlds?

Would you actually use the smartphone-ready QR codes on each design?

Your thoughts?