TEPR Projects: Consumer information and behaviour

It is important to understand the priorities of potential car buyers and of drivers, so that policies that influence the way in which vehicles are purchased and used can be designed properly. In order to help drivers make informed decisions, it is important for them to have good information that enables them to compare different models for their environmental and economic performance.

The CO₂ emissions and fuel consumption of different types of vehicle are measured and required to be communicated to potential vehicle buyers. For cars, there is a detailed specification, set by EU Directive 1999/94, for the way in which information on CO₂ emissions and fuel consumption is to be communicated to potential car buyers.

TEPR has worked on a number of reports for the EU institutions on Directive 1999/94:

• Technical analysis of measures to improve consumer awareness of emissions and the fuel consumption of vehicles, which was undertaken for the European Commission. It involved the development and assessment of different policy options for improving consumer awareness. For more information on the background to this project, see our blog.
• Evaluation of Directive 1999/94/EC (“the car labelling Directive”), which was undertaken for the European Commission. It involved a review of literature, engagement with stakeholders and policy analysis. It make recommendations on potential future changes to the Directive.
• Report on the implementation of Directive 1999/94/EC relating to the availability of consumer information on fuel economy and CO₂ emissions in respect of the marketing of new passenger cars, also undertaken for the European Commission.
• Study on consumer information on fuel economy and CO2 emissions of new passenger cars, which involved TEPR’s Ian Skinner and was undertaken for the European Parliament.

TEPR has also worked on the evaluation of the implementation of the Regulations that transpose Directive 1999/94 in the UK:

• Evaluation of the Implementation of the UK Passenger Car (Fuel Economy and CO₂ Emissions Information) Regulations, which was undertaken with the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership in early 2018.

Ian Skinner has also worked on reports looking at car purchasing and travel behaviour, including:

• Improving the knowledge base on car purchasing decision mechanisms, which was undertaken for the European Commission and also involved TEPR Associate Malcolm Fergusson. The report was based on a literature review and qualitative analysis.
• Delivering changes in travel behaviour: Lessons from health promotion disciplines, which was undertaken with Malcolm Fergusson and Dr Adrian Davis, and funded by the Department of Transport.

Ian Skinner of TEPR is currently a Member of the Zemo’s Passenger Car Working Group. He also supports Zemo in its work on low carbon vehicles as a member of relevant project Steering Groups, particularly those relating to consumer information.