Label Your Used Car’s Fuel Economy

Users can download the label as a graphic to embed in an advertisement or display on a vehicle.

In 1999, the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launched FuelEconomy.gov, the premier online resource for fuel economy information. The site gives consumers comprehensive data on fuel efficiency and emissions for the thousands of vehicle models now on the road so they can make informed decisions when purchasing a new or used vehicle.

FuelEconomy.gov recently released the Used Car Fuel Economy Label Tool. While consumers bought three times as many used cars as new cars last year, these used vehicles weren’t labeled with a fuel economy sticker like new vehicles are. With the help of this new tool, consumers and businesses can create fuel economy stickers for used vehicles they’re selling.

The new tool draws on FuelEconomy.gov’s vast database that carries fuel economy and environmental information on all light-duty vehicles from original equipment manufacturers back to 1984. After users pick the vehicle’s model year, make, model, and options, the tool creates a graphic for the vehicle’s fuel type, greenhouse gas emissions, and fuel economy. Users can download the label as a graphic file if they want to embed it in an online advertisement or auction listing. They also can print it to display on a vehicle.

This tool empowers both buyers and sellers, helping consumers compare fuel economy across multiple makes and models. The label lets buyers know the fuel economy information is based on reliable data from the federal government.

However, it’s important to know that both your and the future driver’s fuel economy may vary from the estimate on the label. Even though a used vehicle’s fuel economy generally differs little from its fuel economy when new, it may vary significantly based on where and how the vehicle is driven.

FuelEconomy.gov also offers a variety of other tools to help drivers choose the vehicles that meet their needs. The Find and Compare Cars tool allows users to compare the miles per gallon, fuel cost, emissions, and other characteristics of up to four vehicles at a time. With the Power Search, you can find vehicles by mixing and matching a number of features, including MSRP, minimum fuel economy, and market class.

Did You Know? In 2010, there were only nine vehicle models available with a combined fuel economy of more than 35 miles per gallon. In 2013, there are more than 35 vehicle models available that get more than 35 miles per gallon combined, many of them plug-in electric vehicles.

blog post written by

• Shannon Brescher Shea
• For more information:
• Clean Cities Technical Response Service Team
• technicalresponse@icfi.com
• 800-254-6735