The greenhouse gas automotive advertisement study

Automobiles are an important source of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHG) involved in climate change and human health impairment. Correct information on the environmental impact of cars in terms of CO2 emissions and fuel consumption is necessary in car advertisements. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the completeness of information on CO2 emissions and fuel consumption in car advertisements according to the 1999/94/EC European Directive. We examined 902 car advertisements published in a monthly Italian car magazine searching for data on CO2 emissions and fuel consumption according to 1999/94/EC Directive and also on further characteristics, such as type of car, engine size and power, power supply and compliance with European anti-pollution legislation. Our data showed only partial adherence to the statutory provisions of 1999/94/EC Directive: data on CO2 emissions and fuel consumption were published with a high frequency, but they were referred to the specific car advertised in only a low percentage of ads, with relevant differences among car manufacturers. This makes difficult to compare the CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of different cars to potential buyers. Full adherence to all provisions of the abovementioned Directive by all car manufacturers is desirable to provide consumers comprehensive and transparent information on the environmental performance of cars. The easiest and most effective way for a full and correct application of 1999/94/EC Directive is the introduction in ads of a label, similar to that currently in use for refrigerators and tires, reporting for each car advertised the official fuel consumption and official specific CO2 emissions figures.