Fuel economy labels

It's now easier than ever to choose a car that's environmentally friendly and to work out how much it will cost you to run. Find out how fuel economy labels can help you choose your next car.

Cars are a significant contributor to CO² emissions – the main greenhouse gas which causes climate change. So, many people are now looking to buy cars which produce lower emissions and are better for the environment.

That's now a lot easier thanks to the UK Fuel Economy label. Much like the labels you'll find on many household items like the fridge-freezer, it gives you an indication of a car's impact on the environment.

It also shows you the average running costs over the year so you'll know how much you'll pay in fuel expenses and certain taxes.

These labels have recently been extended to cover used cars, so if you're buying second-hand you'll still have all the information you need.

How the label works

All cars are rated on a scale from A to G, depending on their CO² emissions in g/km. Cars rated A have the lowest emissions and those with a G rating have the highest.

See an example Fuel Economy label

The label also gives you the estimated fuel costs for 12,000 miles and the vehicle tax for 12 months so you can see how much these will cost before you decide whether or not to buy.

Save money on your road tax

Knowing the tax band of your car will help you find out how much you'll pay in road tax each year.

Being aware of your car's emissions could help you save a fortune in the long run. For example, if you buy a car in band B you'll pay £35 a year in tax. But if you buy a car in band F, you'll pay £210 annually.

Do your homework

If you're buying a new car, you can search online to find out its tax band, fuel consumption and economy rating before you head to the car dealer.

Search for a car's details on DirectGov