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Environmental Performance Label
This page last reviewed November 20, 2012
Background
Beginning in the 1998 model year, the Smog Index Label began appearing on all new cars sold in California. The label was intended to help consumers compare the smog forming emissions from different vehicles within that model year. Assembly Bill 1229 (Nation) signed into law in 2005 required the ARB to redesign the Smog Index Label to include information about emissions
of global warming emissions. To meet this requirement, cars manufactured after January 1, 2009 were requied to affix the Environmental Performance (EP) Labe. This label provided both a Smog Score and a Global Warming Score, both from 1 to 10, with 10 being cleanest and 5 being the average vehicle.
In 2011, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Transportation have adopted a new Fuel Economy and Environment Label that is required on all vehicles beginning in model year 2013. In order to harmonize with the Federal labeling program, this new label is replacing the California Environmental Performance Label on most new cars sold here. www.DriveClean.ca.gov provides these ratings so that you can compare cars that you are looking to purchase.
What's New?
- The California Air Resources Board approves Advanced Clean Cars rules.
- New fact sheet - Vehicle Emissions Labeling, Harmonizing with the Federal Program
- The Formal Regulatory Documents for the January Board Meeting are now available. See Appendix L for updates to the labeling requirements.
Manufacturer's Advisory Communication
- MAC 09-01 - Implementation of Environmental Performance Label (PDF - 140K)
- Attachment: Test Group Information Format
Workshops / Meetings
July 19, 2011
- ARB staff are proposing to deem the US EPA label as compliant with California's labeling requirements. Presented at
July 19, 2011 Advanced Clean Cars Workshop in El Monte
November 16, 2010
- ARB staff will be proposing revisions to the EP Label as part of the Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) III regulation.
March 2, 2010
- ARB staff will be proposing revisions to the EP Label as part of the Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) III regulation.
March 16, 2007
February 15, 2007
Contact Information
- For additional information, please contact Lisa Chiladakis at (916) 327-2932.
Join Email Lists
- To get updated information about the Vehicle Emissions Labeling program, please sign up for Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Program List Serve.
- To get updated information about the DriveClean website and Clean cars, please sign up for the DriveClean list serve.
