Volvo calls for eco label
July 20th, 2010 by Richard Aucock
VOLVO wants to see car emissions explained in broader detail to more truthfully show a car’s eco impact.
The firm says simply considering CO2 emissions in isolation is too restrictive.
Instead, other car exhaust pollutants such as NOx, Hydrocarbons and Particulates should be put on new car labels too – which will help the UK avoid a potential fine of £300m for poor air quality.
Already, the UK has one of the world’s highest asthma rates, and 50,000 die early because of air pollution.
Volvo is thus pushing for an automotive air pollutants label that will complement the familiar CO2 g/km score. Why? Well, it seems Volvos might do quite well out of it – looking at non-CO2 pollutants, the firm has made two comparisons:
• Volvo V70 2.5 petrol – 201mg/km non-CO2 pollutants
• Fiat 500 1.4 Start Stop – 484mg/km non-CO2 pollutants
• Volvo S80 1.6D DRIVe – 636mg/km non-CO2 pollutants
• Toyota Yaris 1.3 – 679mg/km non-CO2 pollutants
Volvo MD Peter Rask admitted the firm’s cars perform very well from the broader-based CO2 assessment. ‘However, this is more about encouraging greater transparency in the automotive industry across all emissions.
‘This isn’t about reducing the focus on CO2, our campaign is about all drivers being given easy access to the complete set of pollutants information so they can make a more informed decision when they buy a new or used car.’
All the data is available right now, on the VCA’s own Government website. It’s the non-CO2 emissions detailed there that are affecting immediate air quality and healthy.
Volvo now wants the Department for Transport and the SMMT to mandate the additional environmental label – and to help get car buyers’ heads round the idea, it will soon be launching a Volvo-branded iPhone App that gives full emissions information on new and used cars.
What do you think about Volvo’s move?