EPA Developing Energy Consumption Labels for Electric and Hybrid Vehicles
Lisa Jackson, administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced at last week's Washington Auto Show that the agency is working with consumer and industry groups to develop a program for informing consumers as to the energy consumption for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are currently exempt from fuel economy ratings, since they rely on home electricity for most if not all of their energy needs. However, the administrator contends that fuel economy labeling "has to catch up" with vehicle innovations. It was not disclosed when these new requirements would be unveiled by EPA.