New Green Window Stickers on the Way

A while back, I told you about new lighting facts labels that will start showing up on light bulb packaging in 2011. They will make it easier for consumers to understand the specifics on each bulb and help them be able to easily determine which is the most eco-friendly option. Now, the EPA is considering similar labels for new cars.

This is still very much in the proposal phase, with the EPA considering two basic layouts. One layout would be a redesign of the horizontal stickers we've had for years with additional information about fuel costs and energy efficiency along with some tweaks to make each car easy to compare. The other layout being considered is radically different, with a vertical shape, much more information and new letter grades.

Back when every car used to to run on gasoline, simple MPG ratings were enough for consumers to compare cars. However, now that hybrid, electric and other types of green cars are showing up on dealer's lots, things are a little more complicated. The vertical concept label seeks to make it easy for consumers to make easy comparisons no matter what cars they're considering.

In addition to the big grade at the top, there's an estimate of how much the average driver would save over five years over five years compared to the "average car." The labels also aim to show technical details for the new cars such as all-electric range and kilowatt-hours per 100 miles.

However, citing that they have no standard to measure them by, the EPA is not including charging times for EVs and plug-ins on the proposals. There's also no mention of "upstream" carbon emissions, which are emissions related to manufacture and transport of the vehicle.

So, how do you feel about letter grades showing up in car windows? Do you think it will make it easier for you to choose your next car? What about letter grades showing up on other devices such as appliances or computers? Let us know in the comments.

To see more examples and let the EPA know your thoughts on the proposals, check out the official EPA fuel economy label page.