The national roll-out of the motor retail sector’s ‘green label’ environmental scheme begins this week in Guildford, three years after its first trial.

All 24 franchised dealerships in the Surrey town become the first to display the label on their new cars. Similar in principle to environmental labels on white goods, the green label details a vehicle’s estimated fuel cost over 12,000 miles and the cost of 12 months’ Vehicle Excise Duty, based on its CO2 emissions.

The Government hopes that in giving consumers easy to understand environmental information about cars at the point of sale, it will encourage them to choose a more efficient vehicle.

Guildford Borough Council requested to start the roll-out because it suffers from higher -than-average CO2 pollution. All remaining franchised dealerships in the UK are expected to be displaying the labels on new cars by the registration plate change on September 1.

“The roll-out of the new label delivers a clear message: a low carbon choice means lower cost motoring,” says Christopher Macgowan, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which is backing the scheme together with the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership.

“Average CO2 from new cars has come down by nearly 10% in the last seven years. But we know this is not enough. Today marks a radical step forward in terms of the UK industry’s commitment to give better information.”