California puts green tags on new cars

All new vehicles on sale in California will soon have to display their green credentials. This is a new scheme implemented by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). From January 1, 2009, stickers like the one seen here will carry information about the environmental performance of every vehicle they’re pasted into.

There will be a ‘Global Warming Score’ (based on greenhouse gas emissions from driving and fuel production) and a ‘Smog Score’ (pretty much self-explanatory), both rated on a one-to-ten scale, with ten being the cleanest. And, similar to warnings on cigarette packets, they will say: ‘Protect the environment, choose vehicles with higher scores.’

“This label will arm consumers with the information they need to choose a vehicle that saves gas, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps fight smog all at once," says Mary Nichols of CARB. "Consumer choice is an especially powerful tool in our fight against climate change.”

“For most people in California, driving a car is the number-one way they pollute,” says Spencer Quong, senior vehicles analyst with the Union of Concerned Scientists. Potential customers can already find the relevant facts on the internet (though not necessarily with a ratings system from one single body), but Quong says: “These labels are simple and straightforward, and will make identifying a greener car easier than ever.”

Californians buy more than 1.5 million new vehicles each year, making up about 10% of the total U.S. new vehicle market.

-- Colin Ryan

Photo: California Air Resources Board

Comments

[Ellen Hilburn]

Earlier in the year I found myself at LAX needing a rental car. I opted for a midsize. To my surprise, the Toyota Prius is considered a midsize. The way it works at most of these car rental places these days is you select a car size and you get the pick of the remaining cars in that car size once your paperwork is done. I had no idea a Prius would be an option when selecting a midsize but there it sat. It has a George Jensen futuristic look about it. I was just happy at all the gas I'd be saving driving around L.A. I liked the car (though it was so quiet I never knew it was on) but I may be the only Prius driver to no be thrilled at the overhyped great gas mileage. I didn't think it was that great, honestly, and I was tuned in to watching the gas needle and comparing the gas usage to the miles driven. Maybe I had a lemon Prius but I believe my old Volvo got similar gas mileage (it just wasn't as quiet and was more spacious).

[Lee Chen]

Who is the moron that is forcing this stupid idea on us!
How did the theory of Global Warming, which is unproven and has many top notch scientists speaking out against the hysteria that is called "global warming"
This is such a scam. Chicken little and the sky is falling gone gonzo!
Please watch the wonderful film out of the BBC called the Great Global Warming Swindle.
Every alarmist should be tied to a chair and forced to watch it. (and stupid sheep like politicians)

[Zierie Dudays]

We need to eliminate the people. People are the number one cause of global warming and our poor little planet will soon perish.

The earth will be a much better place without the human virus.