Car Label: More Transparency about Consumption and Emissions when Buying a Car

The long-awaited amendment of the Passenger Car Energy Consumption Labeling Ordinance (Pkw-EnVKV) has come into force, implementing European requirements for vehicle labeling during car purchases. In Germany, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) is responsible for the corresponding national implementation of consumer information regarding energy efficiency and climate protection. The German Energy Agency (dena) praised the regulation, stating it brings more transparency about energy consumption and CO2 emissions when purchasing a car and provides information on a separate website.

"In the future, the absolute consumption and emissions values must be indicated based on the more realistic WLTP testing procedure. The new car label also provides information on energy costs and, for the first time, on the CO₂ costs of the vehicles. The improved labeling enables informed purchasing decisions that protect the climate and save money," explained Robert Habeck (Greens), Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

The occasion for the amendment is the EU-legal shift to the "Worldwide Harmonized Light-Duty Vehicles Test Procedure" (WLTP). This laboratory measurement technique reflects real driving conditions much better than previous procedures by, for example, testing at higher speeds and over longer distances. Previously, these WLTP values for fuel consumption and pollutant emissions were not displayed on the car label, which is now changing within the framework of the Pkw-EnVKV. By indicating the WLTP-based values, the prospective consumption and thus also the fuel costs can be estimated much more accurately before purchase.

"The car label helps prospective buyers better estimate the anticipated consumption costs of new cars, thereby supporting purchasing decisions in favor of vehicle models with lower energy and CO₂ emissions. Especially in the transportation sector, the pressure to act for more climate protection is high, and the most powerful actors in this context are ultimately the car buyers," explains Kristina Haverkamp, Managing Director of dena.