CO2 / CAR LABELLING CARS 21: Working Group 4 21 March 2012 Luca PASCOTTO, Director Mobility, FIA lpascotto@fia.com
Experience Fuel economy and environmental impact are in general no major factor in vehicle purchase decisions Fuel consumption is mostly only important because of the cost, but not to environmental issues Consumers are not well aware of fuel economy and environmental issues. Interest is growing slowly with greater awareness of climate change and CO2 emission issues
Consumers priorities 80 60 40 20 0 Important factor when buying a car 74 73 62 51 41 % of full licence holders 2 Costs (purchasing/running/tax/...) Reliabilitry Safety Comfort Low CO2 Electric (plugged directly into electricity supply) FIA, 2011 (in 2004: the two major factors in vehicle purchase decisions are car reliability and safety standard) Not only purchasing costs are important Reliability (performance of the vehicle; important factor in the framework of CO2 labelling schemes) CO2 labelling schemes would be more effective if it would encompass costs factors
Consistent approach Before purchasing Taxation (CO2 related) Regulation (test cycle revision) Technology neutral approach (all vehicles) Future Car Challenge, 2011: 9 out of 14 ICE which claimed to emit less then 110 gco2/ Km exceeded this threshold, some by as much 50%
All vehicles The most eco-friendly car is the one which uses the least energy, or the one generating fewest CO2 emissions? On average Well-to-wheel analysis (UK-based) Hybrid EV Diesel Petrol Hydrogen fuel cell 103 gco2/km 105 gco2/km 147 gco2/km 81 gco2/km 112 gco2/km
CO2 labelling Need to agree on some form of CO2 conversion factor, to include petrol, diesel, EVs, hydrogen (energy index of performance) Harmonisation of the label across all MS would be important from a consumers perspective and for the internal market.
CO2 labelling When labelling can be effective in influencing consumers choices: not overloaded with information information presented in a form that is simple and readily understood by consumers they provide information relative to the performance of other models of similar class (vehicle type, vehicle price, and comfort are important criteria for the selection)
How to do? Consumers recognise the colour-coded label (UK figures: 75% of British consumers are familiar with this label) Using a similar design for the car label would build on existing high levels of awareness and help to enhance the general recognition of the label
Absolute VS relative We are not dogmatic over this issue: main objective is to inform the consumers. We need to consider different use of the car: relative indicators would probably better reflects the energy efficiency, without penalising certain group of consumers (eg. families). some considerations Considering the weight as indicator? (this would represent an incentive to make cars lighter - light weighting is a key element of automotive R&D)
Can be a mix (a composite label, which provides relative information on an absolute label)? Consumers are sensitive to costs. Label should be linked : to taxes as much as possible; to annual running costs (at least for the first 3/4 years?): fuel costs, maintenance costs; fuel consumption is not a crucial criteria in car purchasing decision today (and in the future fuel price will be extremely important for consumers)
US label The estimated annual fuel cost of the vehicle, is not considered the decision making process by consumers Presenting how much more (or less) a vehicle will cost to fuel over five years relative to the average new vehicle, can encourage consumers to opt for more efficient vehicles
UK label
Conclusions 1. Fuel economy label is a cheap measure to influence consumer 2. It can encourage manufacturers to produce more fuel efficient vehicles 3. Label should be easy to read (but full information available by different means) 4. Focus on costs of ownership (eg. total running costs over 15.000 km/y or over the first 3/4 years) The combination of CO2 labelling + CO2 related tax would be a strong message for consumers 5. Should cover all kind of vehicle according to well-to wheel approach (technology neutral approach) 6. Should be based on the revision of the test cycle, which should reflect real consumption (reliability)
How the FIA is supporting this process Promoting ecodriving Promoting demonstration Fahrzeugliste mit Verbrauchsangaben Catalogue consommation Liste de véhicules avec données de consommation Promoting awareness 12 G A B C D E F Promoting information programmes
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