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Frequently asked questions
ABOUT THE FUEL ECONOMY INFORMATION AND LABEL
- What is fuel economy information?
- What is the fuel economy label?
- What does the label tell me?
- How is the fuel economy star rating worked out?
- What should I do if the vehicle I'm looking at doesn't display a label?
- How much will it actually cost to run?
- Does the fuel economy information take into account variables, such as vehicle modifications or wear and tear?
- If a vehicle has an Australian fuel economy label, do I have to get a New Zealand label as well?
- What about vehicles imported from countries other than Australia or Japan?
- How many vehicles do you have fuel information for?
DISPLAYING THE INFORMATION OR LABEL
- How do I get a label?
- What's the VIN and where do I find it?
- What's the Chassis number and where do I find it?
- What's the Model Code and where do I find it?
- When do I have to display the fuel economy information?
- Which vehicles are exempt?
- Where do I have to display the fuel economy information?
- How should I display the label with the vehicle?
- Why isn't fuel economy information displayed for this vehicle?
- How is the information displayed on website vehicle sale listings?
- Where don't I have to display the label or fuel economy information?
- Can I choose to use the label and fuel economy information for other promotional purposes, such as on print advertisements promoting the sale of a vehicle?
- What do I do if I think the fuel consumption information's wrong?
- What if the database has the details of the car wrong?
THE REGULATIONS
- When did the Energy Efficiency (Vehicle Fuel Economy Labelling) Regulations 2007 come into effect?
- What happens if I don't comply with the Regulations?
- Who is defined as a motor vehicle trader?
- Who will monitor whether motor vehicle traders or individuals have the information and/or label displayed?
MORE INFORMATION
- What happens if the price of fuel at the pump changes? Will the fuel economy information and labels have to be updated?
- Who else can I ask for help or more information on energy efficient motoring?
ABOUT THE FUEL ECONOMY INFORMATION AND LABEL
What is fuel economy information?
The fuel economy information is specific to a vehicle and is based on the fuel consumption of that vehicle as established by independent testing.
The fuel economy information is expressed as:
- fuel economy cost per year
- fuel economy rating out of 6 stars
- fuel economy litres per 100km
This information is provided for comparative purposes only. It does not represent a guarantee or exact measurement of vehicle performance.
It is the responsibility of the seller (private individual or motor vehicle trader) to ensure the information and/or label is displayed appropriately.
The information is printed on a fuel economy label, which is the official way to display fuel economy information with a vehicle for sale.
In the case of website listings (such as Trade Me), the fuel economy information can be displayed as text. This should be prominently and clearly displayed so that it obviously relates to the vehicle, and should be on the same webpage as the listing.
What is the fuel economy label?
The fuel economy label is designed to make the fuel economy rating and information immediately obvious to buyers. It must be displayed with a vehicle being offered for sale provided the information is available.
* An example fuel label
The label shows:
- vehicle make
- vehicle model
- fuel economy (cost per year based on an average fuel price and an annual distance of 14,000km)
- fuel economy (rating out of 6 stars)
- fuel economy (litres per 100km) (for new vehicles only)
- basis for calculating fuel economy (cost per year)
- reference information
The information will assist buyers to easily make comparisons between vehicles because it highlights the potential savings a vehicle can deliver.
It is important to remember that the fuel economy information is a guide, not a guarantee.
Fuel economy stars rated out of 6, this indicates how much fuel the vehicle uses.
Litres per 100km fuel consumption figure expressed in litres per 100km based on independent testing of the vehicle when new. Note that this will only be shown for new vehicles.
Cost per year estimated annual fuel economy cost based on the average fuel price and an annual distance of 14,000km. It includes Road User Charges (RUC) for diesel vehicles. This is calculated to help you compare one vehicle with another; it does not tell you what you will actually pay because it's based on averages, not your actual vehicle use.
Vehicle Make and Model details on the make and model of the vehicle.
Average fuel price used to calculate the cost per year.
Reference number this confirms that the label refers to the vehicle it is displayed with.
Disclaimer important note about the status of the information on the label. This clarifies that the information is provided for comparative purposes only and is not the actual cost of running the vehicle.
How is the fuel economy star rating worked out?
The fuel economy star rating is based on independent testing of the vehicle when new. Vehicles in New Zealand are tested to either the European (typically for new cars) or Japanese (typically for used cars) test methods, to derive a fuel consumption figure expressed in litres per 100km.
The test results translate into a simple star rating out of 6. There is one rating scale for all vehicles, from six stars for vehicles that use less fuel to a half a star for the biggest gas guzzlers.
The average fuel price used in the fuel economy rating calculation will be reviewed each year, although it will only be changed if there's been a big move in actual fuel prices. It is not practical to change the information on the label every time the fuel price goes up or down, so an annual average has been used as a basis for comparison.
The distance people travel also varies considerably, so an average of 14,000km (as used by the AA and Department of Inland Revenue) has been used in the calculation as a reasonable basis for comparison.
What should I do if the vehicle I'm looking at doesn't display a label?
Fuel economy information may not be available for some vehicles, including cars manufactured before 2000, or used cars imported from countries other than Japan. If the information or label is not displayed, ask the motor vehicle trader if they have information for the vehicle or another vehicle of a similar type. You can also get an indication of the fuel economy by searching www.fuelsaver.govt.nz for similar vehicles.
Remember that the information will be indicative only. It is useful for comparison purposes but it is not an exact measurement or guarantee of vehicle performance and does not take into account factors such as wear and tear and any modifications made to individual models or vehicles.
How much will it actually cost to run?
The fuel economy label shows an indication of the fuel cost for a vehicle, but the actual cost will be different from that figure.
It is never possible to perfectly predict what a vehicle's fuel consumption will be, because fuel consumption depends on a wide range of factors, such as your driving style and habits; speed and distance travelled; vehicle load; vehicle condition and maintenance, including tyre pressure; any modifications such as fitted roof racks; and use of features such as air conditioning.
No allowances are made in the fuel economy information database for individual vehicles that have undergone modifications, or for wear and tear. The information is based on fuel consumption when the vehicle is tested in laboratory conditions. The information and rating still provides a useful comparison for customers because the same rating system has been applied across all vehicles.
If a vehicle has an Australian fuel economy label, do I have to get a New Zealand label as well?
Vehicles produced in or imported directly from Australia can be sold in New Zealand with their Australian label, if they have one, provided they are also labelled with a statement to the effect that they were produced in or imported into Australia or a State of Australia. The car would have had to be in Australia prior to being shipped to New Zealand - not just on a ship in transit in an Australian port. This is covered by the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement (TTMRA) and there's more information available at www.med.govt.nz/ttmra. If the vehicle does not have an Australian label, then a New Zealand label must be displayed, provided the information is available.
What about vehicles imported from countries other than Australia or Japan?
You should check to see whether fuel economy information is available for
these vehicles. If the information is available, they will require a
label. If the information is not available, then a label is not
required.
How many vehicles do you have fuel information for?
Fuel economy information is collected for all new cars and all cars manufactured since 2000 and imported since 2005.This is a large proportion of the vehicles being traded in New Zealand, and the proportion will increase as time goes on.
DISPLAYING THE INFORMATION OR LABEL
- Once the information has been entered and the label appears on the computer screen, it can be printed onto ordinary A4 paper in either colour or black and white.
Motor vehicle traders may be able to source the label from other sources:
- Produced and printed as part of the package provided by your dealer management system provider. If you use MotorWeb to print a SIN, then the label will be produced automatically at the same time.
- Delivered along with the vehicle from the manufacturer/distributor.
- Delivered along with the vehicle when the vehicle is imported (if the importer prints the label along with the fuel consumption statement).
What's the VIN and where do I find it?
A vehicle identification number (VIN) is a unique, 17-character number, which is assigned and attached to a motor vehicle. A VIN can be:
- stamped into the vehicle structure (often the firewall) during manufacture
- stamped on a metal plate and fixed onto the vehicle body
- etched onto the rear window of the vehicle.
For more information click here: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/factsheets/06/index.html
What's the Chassis number and where do I find it?
The Chassis number is the manufacturer's numbering system and varies in format depending on both the manufacturer and the jurisdiction in which the car was first registered. The chassis number will be on a metal plate on the firewall of the car.
In New Zealand, chassis numbers are only routinely recorded for used imports.
What's the Model Code and where do I find it?
The Model Code used in the database is provided by new car manufacturers to identify cars of the same make, model and sub-model. It will be provided by the manufacturer along with other information about the car. There have been a few cases where the model code supplied by the manufacturer to the database is slightly different from the model code given to the trader.
If the model code you are using does not generate a label, check with the manufacturer.
More information:
- Labelling based on Japanese identifying plates. This industry information covers finding model codes for Japanese imports manufactured from 2000 onwards but imported before 2005.
When do I have to display the fuel economy information?
Fuel economy information has to be displayed if you are selling a light vehicle that's a car, ute or van of 3.5 tonnes or under - provided the information is available on this website.
Motor vehicle traders must display the information in a label with a vehicle offered for sale. They must also display the fuel economy information on trading websites where they are offering the vehicle for sale. A trading website is one where the principal purpose of the site is to offer goods for sale. The information must be displayed as text (written words) alongside the listing for that vehicle.
Private individual sellers are required to display the fuel economy information on trading websites where they are offering the vehicle for sale. If you wish you can display the label with the vehicle but this is not compulsory for private individual sellers.
Motorcycles and vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.
Vehicles where the information is not available, most likely to be those manufactured prior to 2000. You should check to see whether fuel economy information is available for a vehicle.
Where do I have to display the fuel economy information?
Motor vehicle traders must display the rating on a label with vehicles for sale or vehicles that promote the sale of another vehicle of the same or similar type. Traders must also display the fuel economy information on trading websites where they are offering the vehicle for sale.
Private individual sellers are required to display the fuel economy information only on trading websites where they are offering the vehicle for sale.
How should I display the label with the vehicle?
The label must be displayed:
- clearly and prominently so that it obviously relates to the vehicle for sale;
- so that it is able to be read from a reasonable distance;
- either firmly attached to the vehicle so that it is clearly visible from the outside, or displayed on an information stand next to the vehicle.
Once the vehicle has been sold, the label can be removed. It is not intended to be permanent.
Motor vehicle dealers are required by law to ensure the label is completed accurately and displayed with the vehicle for sale, or any vehicle being used to promote the sale of other vehicles of the same, or similar, type. Failure to do so may incur a fine of up to $5,000.
Private individual sellers do not have to display the label with the vehicle, but can do so provided the information is shown on the official label and it is completed correctly.
Why isn't fuel economy information displayed for this vehicle?
Where fuel economy information is not available for a vehicle, it is not compulsory for traders to display a label for that vehicle. Traders can, however, choose to print and display a label that explains that the fuel economy information was not available for a vehicle. Therefore, some labels may be displayed without fuel economy information.
The information in the database has been collected since 2005 for new cars, and for Japanese used cars manufactured since 2000 and imported from Japan. Common reasons why fuel economy information is not available for a particular vehicle include:
- The car was manufactured before 2000.
- The car was New Zealand-new between 2000 and 2004 (that is, it came into New Zealand prior to 2005 before we started collecting the information on new cars)
- The car was a used import from Japan between 2000 and 2004 (even if it's a post-2000 car, if it arrived in the country before 2005 we won't have collected the information)
- The car's imported from somewhere other than Japan (information on used imports from other countries will be collected in future)
- The car's imported from Japan but was manufactured elsewhere (eg a BMW imported from Japan)
- The car's too new - the manufacturer or importer haven't provided the information yet, or it hasn't been uploaded into the database
- The information we have on the car is incomplete - the importer or manufacturer may not have given us the necessary information
- The details don't match, for example the model code provided for the database may be different, or the numbers may have been mis-typed at some point
- The information was never provided to us in the first place
If you cannot get fuel information, and you have checked that you have entered the vehicle details correctly, then you do not have to do anything else. However, displaying a label without fuel information tells both buyers and the EECA compliance team that you have made a genuine effort to get a label.
The EECA compliance team will not take action against anyone who has made a genuine effort to get a label.
How is the information displayed on website vehicle sale listings?
The main trading websites, such as Trade Me and AutoTrader, will have systems in place that will enable the fuel economy rating information to be displayed automatically with the vehicle listing.
Motor vehicle dealers should also ensure the information is displayed on their dealer websites where vehicles are offered for sale.
It is the responsibility of the seller (individual or motor vehicle trader) to:
- ensure the fuel economy information is shown clearly and prominently on the same webpage as the vehicle;
- ensure that the text can be easily read;
- ensure the information is placed so that it obviously relates to the vehicle being promoted for sale.
You can obtain the relevant information from this site, and include it as text in your listing.
If you are responsible for a large trading website, it is possible to set up an automatic interface between your website and the database that holds the fuel economy information. If you are interested in doing this, contact EECA (email fuel.economy@eeca.govt.nz).
Where don't I have to display the label or fuel economy information?
It is not mandatory to display the label or fuel economy information on print advertisements promoting vehicles for sale, such as in magazines or newspapers.
You also do not need to display a label or information for motorcycles or vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.
Yes. You can use the label or information as long as this appears in a way that is approved by EECA.
It must be displayed correctly and consistently with how it is presented in other display methods such as website listings.
Email fuel.economy@eeca.govt.nz about other ways to use the information or label.
What do I do if I think the fuel consumption information's wrong?
The fuel consumption information is provided by the manufacturers and/or importers of vehicles. If you have other information that shows a different fuel consumption figure for the same vehicle, please let us know by emailing fuel.economy@eeca.govt.nz.
What if the database has the details of the car wrong?
If there's clearly a mistake in the database, for example if you enter the plate number of a Toyota and get a label for a Holden, then please let us know by emailing fuel.economy@eeca.govt.nz. But first, please double check that you have entered the details correctly yourself.
THE REGULATIONS
When did the Energy Efficiency (Vehicle Fuel Economy Labelling) Regulations 2007 come into effect?
The regulations came into effect on Monday 7 April 2008.
What happens if I don't comply with the Regulations?
Your obligation is to display the information or the label, using the information provided on the Fuelsaver website.
If you don't have a label with a vehicle for sale, or the fuel economy information with its website listing, then you may be liable for a fine of up to $5,000.
It is illegal to interfere with or change the fuel economy information or label so that it no longer complies, or is inconsistent with the information provided through the Fuelsaver website. However, you will not be committing an offence if the information provided by the website is incorrect and you have not intended to mislead.
Who is defined as a motor vehicle trader?
Any person whose business is motor vehicle trading. This includes:
- a car market operator
- an importer
- a wholesaler
- a car auctioneer
- a car consultant
A person is treated as a motor vehicle trader if they hold themselves out to be carrying on the business of motor vehicle trading. They will also be treated as a motor vehicle trader if they sell more than six vehicles in a 12 month period or import more than three vehicles in 12 months unless they can prove they are not doing so for gain.
EECA will be responsible for enforcing the fuel economy labelling requirements.
MORE INFORMATION
The fuel price on the labels, used to calculate the cost per year, is an average figure, so it does not have to be updated every time the price at the pump changes.
The average fuel price used on the label will be updated from time to time, probably about once every 12 months.
Any requirements for updates will be notified to all motor vehicle traders in advance, so that labels and information can be updated and replaced by a given date.
The information will be updated in the database used for generating labels and online listings, so that these will automatically reflect the new values from the given date.
Who else can I ask for help or more information on energy efficient motoring?
Information about the fuel consumption and annual fuel costs of most vehicles is available at www.fuelsaver.co.nz.
It's easy to use the online search to find details about any car manufactured since 2000, and to work out an estimated fuel economy cost per year using the online calculator. The fuel economy label is designed to make this information more immediately obvious when buyers are comparing vehicles.
Further information on fuel economy, vehicle safety, carbon dioxide emissions and rankings, pollution ratings and tips on buying fuel efficient vehicles, can be found at: www.rightcar.govt.nz. This site includes easy-to-use tools that allow you to search different makes and models, and compare fuel, safety and environmental impact ratings. It also includes tips on driving more energy efficiently.
Call EECA on 0800 749782.
