An industry expert has called on the government to introduce US style data sheets in showrooms to help consumers understand the total emissions impact of electric cars, including their manufacture. 

Speaking at a conference today, Dr. Andy Palmer said the UK needs an equivalent of the American ‘Monroney Label’ which legally has to be attached to all new cars in the showroom to show the costs and environmental impact of cars. 

Palmer, who has more than four decades’ experience in the auto industry and is credited with pioneering the Nissan Leaf, said:“I would champion a label that discloses the real-world range of the vehicle in urban, highway and multi-terrain conditions, both in hot and cold climates – a simple nine box chart that sets the consumers expectations. 

"A sticker that discloses the total carbon expended in the production of the vehicle and during its operation - using either sustainable or conventional energy. And a sticker that discloses local content – An EV isn’t particularly environmentally friendly if it’s shipped round the world or manufactured using a supply chain reliant on air freight.” 

Electrifying.com’s founder and CEO, Ginny Buckley, agrees: “While all electric cars have zero exhaust pipe emissions, they vary greatly in efficiency – not just in the way they use energy to drive, but also in the resources used to build and deliver them. We think this is be a subject which will be of increasing interest to consumers and governments over time.”

Cars like the MINI, which are produced locally, would score well in new charts