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New Cars Get Global Warming Score in California

Score tallies production and operation impact of each model

By Joe Benton
ConsumerAffairs.com

July 8, 2008
A new number will soon confront consumers on new car and truck window stickers in California along with the price, fuel mileage and other information.

The state will require new vehicles to be labeled with a global warming score that takes into account emissions from the vehicle as well as global warming caused by producing the fuel each vehicle consumes.

The California law takes effect next year for all 2009 model cars but global warming labels could begin showing up at car dealerships next month as some automakers have expressed interest in using the score on their most fuel-efficient models.

The global warming scores will rate a vehicle from 1 to 10. The higher the score, the cleaner the car or truck.

The average vehicle will score a 5 on the California global warming scale. The Toyota Prius will probably carry a 10 and the General Motors Hummer will likely be branded with a 1.

California already requires a smog score which also rates cars from 1 to 10 for how many smog-forming emissions they emit. The global warming score will appear on the window sticker beside the smog score.

A similar law will take effect in New York for 2010 model year vehicles.

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