Look for the Environmental Performance Label
Now there is a new tool that makes it easy to compare the environmental impacts and efficiency between vehicles - the Environmental Performance Label (EP Label). The EP Label is posted in the window of all new cars sold in California that are manufactured after January 1, 2009.
You can easily determine the cleanest and most efficient cars on the market by the two scores found on the EP Label – the Global Warming Score and Smog Score. Each score is from 1 to 10 with the cleanest and most efficient cars receiving the highest scores. These scores compare emissions between all vehicle classes and sizes with the average new car scoring a 5 on both scales. Think clean and buy cars with higher scores.
Global Warming Score
If you are looking to reduce your carbon footprint or just save money at the pump, buy a car with a high Global Warming Score.
The Global Warming Score is based on the sum of a vehicle's greenhouse gas emissions which are identified as the CO2-equivalent value. Vehicles with higher Global Warming Scores tend to burn less fuel, saving you money and reducing your carbon footprint. Learn More >
Smog Score
Buying a car with a high Smog Score will help you cut smog pollution now. There have been many advancements in clean vehicle technologies, making even gasoline cars significantly cleaner than they have ever been. But, even new vehicles vary greatly in how much they pollute, and even within the same make and model. Learn More >
Additional Resources
- View the cleanest cars
- Watch the EP Label Video
- Introduction to Advanced Technology Vehicles guide
- Air Resources Board - Environmental Performance Label topic page
- Air Resources Board – Environmental Performance Label fact sheet (English)
- Air Resources Board – Environmental Performance Label fact sheet (Spanish )