Research conducted by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) shows that most new car dealers now display the colour-coded label. Of the 400 dealers surveyed, 86 per cent displayed the label, compared to 74 per cent in a similar survey last year and 65 per cent of showroom cars were clearly labelled, in contrast to 55 per cent in 2006.

 

Introduced in July 2005, as a voluntary initiative, the label features colour-coded bands for CO₂ emissions and a guide to annual running costs to help drive home the message that low CO₂ emissions and cheaper motoring go hand in hand.

In addition, the survey revealed that more than 240 dealers (61 per cent) achieved the target of 75 per cent of showroom cars displaying the label. Less than 10 per cent of dealers had no knowledge about what information the label actually shows.

'This improved performance is positive, but we're not where we should be yet,' said SMMT President Graham Smith. 'We will continue to encourage all dealers to include this key information in their showrooms and be crystal clear about explaining to our customers the benefits and relationship between lower carbon and lower-cost motoring.'

SMMT believes that further improvements will be achieved through a partnership approach, and supports the UK Department for Transport's informative Act on CO₂ campaign, currently running in the media.