Hon
David Parker - 7/11/2006 - Speaking at a Parliamentary
function for the AA EnergyWise Rally today, Energy
and Climate Change Minister David Parker released
a discussion document on a mandatory fuel economy
labelling scheme for vehicles at point of sale.
The Government proposal aims
to give consumers more information about the fuel
efficiency of the cars they're considering buying,
as a way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions
and improving air quality. The proposed scheme
will cover all cars (new and used) for which fuel
efficiency information is available.
It is intended to apply at point
of sale through registered motor vehicle dealers.
Consideration is also being given to how it could
be applied to sales via internet sites like TradeMe.
David Parker said vehicle use
is one of the major contributors to New Zealand’s
greenhouse gas emissions, and vehicle emissions
also have a negative impact on air quality, urban
amenity, and human health.
“Providing consumers with better
information will mean that they can choose more
fuel efficient cars, which will also save them
money at the pump. Encouraging people to buy vehicles
that use less fuel will also help us reduce the
greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate
change."
The Associate Minister for Transport,
Judith Tizard, says: "Vehicle Fuel Economy
Labelling is complementary to other government
measures designed to clean up New Zealand vehicles,
such as the recently-introduced smoky vehicle
check required when cars obtain a warrant of fitness."
Decisions on the new Vehicle
Fuel Economy Labelling scheme will be aligned
with other work underway to improve the fuel economy
and emissions performance of New Zealand vehicles.
The closing date for responses
is 21 December 2006.
The discussion document is available
at www.eeca.govt.nz
Media contact: Jane O'Loughlin
on (04) 471 9855 or 021 227 9855
David Parker's press releases
and speeches can be found at: www.beehive.govt.nz/parker
Background
Is fuel economy important?
There have been several price rises in fuel earlier
this year, and petrol prices are still at a higher
level now than what they have been in the past.
Fuel costs are now significant for many everyday
New Zealanders, and labelling of cars is one way
to better inform people about the running costs
of vehicles.
Improvements in the fuel economy
of the fleet will also have a positive effect
on New Zealand’s overall carbon dioxide emissions
and therefore reduce our impact on climate change.
What is Mandatory Vehicle Fuel
Economy Labelling?
It means that there would be a requirement for
fuel economy information to be displayed on specific
vehicles under 3.5 tonnes that are covered by
the scheme, when sold by motor vehicle traders.
Are there schemes like this
overseas?
Vehicle fuel economy schemes have been introduced
in many countries overseas, and some of these
are outlined in the document. They are currently
in place in Australia, the European Union, California,
Canada and elsewhere.
What will the labels look like?
The feedback received from the discussion document
will help determine what information is required
for vehicles at point of sale, and in what format.
Consumer research is also being
completed which will provide useful information
on preferred content and format of any labels
at point of sale.
What information will they have
on them?
Some of the options include fuel costs associated
with running the vehicle, litres per 100km, a
star rating or some other comparative grading
system. The final decisions on this will depend
on the results from the submissions and consumer
research.
Will labels be required for
both new and used cars?
Yes, when sold by registered motor vehicle traders,
and subject to information for that vehicle being
available through the fuelsaver website. To start
with, information will be available for all new
cars, most late-model used cars, and many older
cars. Information gaps will be filled over time
so that eventually informations will be supplied
at point of sale for all cars being sold.
Where does the fuel economy
information come from?
Importers are currently required
to supply fuel consumption information to Land
Transport New Zealand. Most of this information
is based on tests conducted in the European Union
or Japan. This information is then fed into the
fuelsaver website.
When will it be in place in
the market?
The aim is to introduce a scheme
by mid to late 2007.
What is the government already
doing to promote fuel economy?
The government has set up the
fuelsaver website www.fuelsaver.govt.nz. The site
provides consumers with fuel economy information
about all new vehicles and many used vehicles
on the New Zealand market, as well as driving
tips for improving fuel economy.
Land Transport New Zealand is
also working in the area of Travel Demand Management.
The Transport and Environment
Ministries are also working to improve the efficiency
of the Government’s fleet of vehicles.
Will information be required
to be provided for older cars?
Only where the information is
available through the fuelsaver website. Information
is likely to be needed when the information is
available for the vehicle being sold, and the
vehicle is being sold through a registered motor
vehicle dealer or over the internet.
How do I know the information
is correct?
The manufacturer has declared
the information to be correct, or for Japanese
used cars the information has been purchased from
the Japanese Society of Automotive Engineers.
Labelling legislation would
likely include offences for presentation of information
that is false or misleading. It is not yet clear
who would enforce such regulations.
