Weighing the high prices of gasoline and the public’s growing concerns about global warming, air pollutants and environmental health hazards, it’s not a surprise that fuel economy is playing a larger role on people buying a car.

To help car buyers make a more informed decision about the cars they buy, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designed a new window sticker full of information about fuel economy. This sticker is on all new cars, light trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) produced after Sept. 1, 2007 will feature the redesigned sticker, which includes the estimated annual cost of fuel for the vehicle, how the fuel economy of a certain vehicle compares to others within its class, and a web site is also listed on the window sticker where buyers can go to for more information.

“EPA’s updated fuel economy estimates will help Americans avoid sticker shock when filling up at the pump,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson.” By considering fuel use when shopping for a new car and truck, buyers are in the driver seat to save money and protect our environment.” Johnson said that taking EPA’s fuel economy information into account when shopping for a vehicle can help buyers save money, as well as cut down on air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions.  

“From AAA’s perspective, it is about a simple truth: Buyers want to know that the information they see on a government-sanctioned label reasonably reflects what they will experience on the road” said Robert Darbelnet, president and CEO of AAA, which has more than 50 million members. ”We believe that the new EPA labeling system will provide motorist a more realistic idea of their fuel performance. This is clearly a step in the right direction.”

The new, Improved EPA fuel economy label includes the following features:

1. New Methods: The label shows the estimated city MPG at the top right.
2. Estimated Annual Fuel Cost: The center of the label provides estimated annual fuel cost based on a given number of miles and fuel price, also listed on the label. Use this information to estimate fuel cost for this vehicle, and to compare fuel costs for different models.
3. Expected City Range: The estimated city MPG range appears at the top left, under the main city MPG estimated number. Most drivers can expect to achieve city fuel economy within this range
4. Expected Highway Range: The estimated highway MPG range appears at the top right, under the main highway MPG estimated number. Most drivers can expect to achieve highway fuel economy within this range.
5. Compare To Other Vehicles: The lower center of the label gives a combined city/highway estimates for the vehicle, and shows where that value falls on a bar scale which gives the highest and lowest fuel economy of other vehicles in its class (e.g. SUV’s, Minivans, compact cars, etc.). You can use this information to compare the fuel economy of this vehicle to all other within its class range.
6. You Actual Mileage Will Very: The label Includes a reminder that there are many reasons why your actual fuel economy will vary from estimates
7. For More Information: The label also provides a web address where you can find more information.

For more information about the new window sticker and a closer look at the sticker design, visit the EPA Web sites. www.epa.gov