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With a new generation of hybrid plug-in vehicles readying to hit the market, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) are proposing changes to the fuel economy labels that consumers see on the windows of new cars.
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Two such mass market plug-in cars, General Motor's Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf, which will hit the U.S. markets by December, have been waiting for the agency's decisions.
By shifting the energy source from conventional fuels to electricity, these vehicles are aiming to provide sustainable solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower the consumption of petroleum. However, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions reduced by plug-in cars depends on the source of electricity used to charge the vehicle as electricity generated from burning coal will cause more emissions.
"New technologies such as battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are entering the American market in greater numbers. We need to provide consumers with labels that include fuel economy and environmental information so that buyers can make better informed decisions when purchasing new vehicles," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in a statement.
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Although EPA officials have declined to give a statement on the new ratings, both General Motors and Nissan are in constant discussions on the possible outcome.
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"We don't have an official position on what they should do. We expect there will be some form of 'equivalency rating,' like how many miles the Leaf can get per the number of kilowatt hours charged," Nissan spokesman Brian Brockman told New York Times.
The EPA is proposing that emissions associated with electricity generation and refining fuel would not be displayed on the label. Rather, information on vehicle tailpipe emissions would only be present. With an aim to complete the rule within a short duration, the agency is planning the appearance of the new label on as many 2012 model year vehicles as possible.
