DOE to implement vehicle fuel labeling in Q1

The Department of Energy (DOE) will implement the Vehicle Fuel Economy Labeling Program (VFELP) within the first quarter of 2025.

Under the VFELP, manufacturers, importers, distributors, dealers, and rebuilders of all public and private road transport vehicles are required to obtain a Fuel Economy Label (FEL) and Fuel Economy Sticker (FES) from the DOE.

"With VFELP, we're putting the power of informed choice into the hands of Filipino consumers," DOE-Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick Aquino said at a press briefing on Wednesday.

"Knowing your vehicle's fuel efficiency is not just about saving money; it's about building a sustainable future. Every drop of fuel or kilowatt saved, every gram of greenhouse gas emission reduced, will make a real difference in the fight against climate change,” Aquino said.

The VFELP is mandated under Section 17 of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, or Republic Act 11285.

The program aims to empower Filipino consumers to make informed decisions about vehicle purchases.

The program ensures that fuel economy data, including the engine fuel economy ratings, are readily accessible and verified through the performance labeling requirements set by the DOE with the assistance of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) at the point of sale.

Under the program, all transport vehicle manufacturers, importers, distributors, rebuilders, and/or builders must undergo company registration, covering both head offices and all branches, which would be valid for three years.

Vehicle registration is also mandatory for each model or type of vehicle offered by registered companies, which would be valid for six years.

To facilitate efficient issuance of the FEL and FES, Aquino said the DOE has established the VFELP system.

The Energy official said the DOE’s system streamlines vehicle registration and fuel economy label issuance, providing real-time application tracking, up-to-date information, and fuel consumption and CO2 emissions calculations of transport vehicles.

The processing of registrations and labels would be completed within seven working days for company and vehicle registrations and three working days for FEL/FES, provided submissions are complete and accurate.

Only companies and vehicles that are registered can obtain an FEL and FES.

The FEL, a removable label, displays essential fuel economy performance data, while the FES, a prescribed fixed sticker, includes a QR code linking to detailed vehicle information and the vehicle Fuel Economy Performance Rating (FEPR).

The dual-labeling system bears the DOE logo and provides consumers with both readily accessible information and the ability to access more comprehensive data online. —VBL, GMA Integrated News