Vehicle Fuel Economy
New Zealand needs to reduce its fuel use to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and one way of doing this is to improve the fuel economy of private vehicles.
The average light vehicle in New Zealand is over 12 years old and has poor fuel use, of around 10.2 l/100 km.
EECA’s Vehicle Fuel Economy programme aims to reduce fuel use by encouraging car buyers to choose a car with better fuel economy.
Since 7 April 2008, under the Energy Efficiency (Vehicle Fuel Economy Labelling) Regulations, fuel economy information has been available at point of sale. This means all new cars and all cars manufactured since 2000 and imported since 2005 for sale in New Zealand must display information about the vehicle's fuel economy, where that information is available.
This applies to any vehicle sold by a motor vehicle trader and any person selling a vehicle on internet trading websites.
The regulations
Motor vehicle traders must:
- display fuel economy information on a fuel economy label for any motor vehicle offered for sale or displayed to promote the sale of another vehicle of the same or similar type.
- display fuel economy information for any motor vehicle offered or displayed for sale on websites, where the principal purpose of the website is to offer goods for sale.
Every person must:
- display fuel economy information for any motor vehicle offered or displayed for sale on websites, where the principal purpose of the website is to offer goods for sale.
These requirements apply to all used and new light vehicles including cars, utes and vans 3.5 tonnes and under, where the information is available from the fuelsaver website www.fuelsaver.govt.nz.
Exceptions are motorcycles and vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.
For more information:
>> Read the Energy Efficiency Vehicle Fuel Economy Labelling Regulations 2007
>> Read our frequently asked questions about vehicle fuel economy labelling
>> Update for motor vehicle traders [PDF 30 KB]
To get a fuel economy label, or fuel economy information for a specific vehicle, go to www.fuelsaver.govt.nz.
