Friday, 7 October, is the date of entry into force of the regulation of the Minister of the Environment obliging the sellers of new cars to inform the consumers of the fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of new passenger cars. Accurate relevant and comparable data on new cars may direct the consumer’s choice towards cars using less fuel and, hence, having lower CO2 emissions, whereby also raising the general environmental awareness. “This is not just a question of willingness to preserve the environment, but it also affects directly the total expenses for the person. Other technical characteristics being equal, the customer is now able to choose the more environmentally friendly and cost-effective car,” explained Viktor Grigorjev, the Adviser of the Environmental Management and Technology Department of the Ministry of the Environment. At the point of sale, labels with official data on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions should be attached on or near every new passenger car model in plain view. The Estonian Motor Vehicle Registration Centre has to publish a guide by the end of 2006 that includes numerical data on the official fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of new commercially available passenger cars. This guide should be compiled in consultation with the manufacturers and sellers of passenger cars at least once a year and it should be available free of charge at the points of sale of new cars and electronically on the web page of the Estonian Motor Vehicle Registration Centre.
Viktor Grigorjev Adviser, Environmental Management and Technology Department, Ministry of the Environment Phone: 626 2986
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