Car buyers in Singapore to benefit from new label

Date: 26/6/2012

A new way of labelling cars is to be launched in Singapore on July 1st, offering more information on fuel efficiency and carbon emission ratings.

To be launched by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), the new label is designed to inform customers looking at purchasing a new car about its environmental credentials.

Cars will be judged in correspondence with the Carbon Emissions-based Vehicle (CEV) scheme and whichever rebate or surcharge it comes under will be presented as part of the label.

Any cars and vehicles approved for sale after July 1st will be required to have the label fixed to them before going on display.

The LTA is keen to encourage car buyers to purchase vehicles which are both more fuel efficient and produce lower carbon emissions.

Colin Lim, Group Director for Vehicle and Transit Licensing at LTA, said: "LTA's aim is to help car buyers be more aware of the importance of carbon emission performance and fuel efficiency when buying a car."

This latest initiative is just one of three that the body is launching in order to provide customers with the information they need to make the choice.

It will also be responsible for the Fuel Economy Labelling Scheme (FELS), which had been administered by the National Environment Agency previously.

FELS brochures have been produced which explain the relative benefits of driving a fuel efficient car as opposed to a traditional one.

It will also outline the new label, what it means and why customers should take notice of it.

Mr Lim said: "These measures will make such information more transparent and accessible to consumers.

"This will help buyers save money in terms of fuel costs and also reduce carbon emissions, which is in line with our objective of promoting an environmentally sustainable land transport system."

An online FELS database and fuel cost calculator is also due to be launched next month, which will act as a useful resource to anyone in Singapore wishing to make an informed choice about purchasing a vehicle.

Posted by Nick Anderson

International Transport News and Sustainable Transport News