Effective January 1, 2009, all new cars sold in California will be required to wear a label informing consumers about the vehicle’s environmental impact. The proposal was inked into law earlier this week by the Secretary of State.
The new regulation will require new cars to wear two labels – one showing a global warming score and the other a smog score, according to the East Bay Business Times. The score will be based on a 1 to 10 scale with a score of 10 having the least impact on the environment. The average car will score a five on both scales.
“This label will arm consumers with the information they need to choose a vehicle that saves gas, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps fight smog all at once,” Mary Nichols, chair of the Air Resources Board, told the East Bay Business Times.
Although the regulation doesn’t require automakers to comply until 2009, some cars are expected to wear the labels as early as next month.
