[Steverino]

Consumers will be to enter information about their commutes and driving behavior to get a more precise estimate of fuel costs. The rule also finalizes new labels for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids to convert the use of electricity to a miles per gallon equivalent — and to allow users to compare charging costs to gasoline use.

http://www.detnews.com/article/20110525/AUTO01/105250417/1361/U.S.-unveils-new-fuel-economy-labels--drops-grades

 

[therfman]

I actually liked the letter grades. Sure, larger vehicles would get bad grades; isn't that the point? The best way to save fuel is to get drivers into smaller, lighter vehicles.

A driver shopping for a van may thing that 27 MPG is pretty good if they're only looking at other vans in comparison. A label indicating C- clearly states the message that there are way better vehicles out there, and may make buyers think twice about that large vehicle. Too many drivers drive a Town and Country when a Diesel Jetta Wagon would do just as well.

If the Big 3 still can't turn a profit on small vehicles... hopefully some manufacturer that does will buy them out.