Fuel Consumption Information Rule

Fuel Consumption Information Rule to be implemented

The Land Transport Rule: Fuel Consumption Information 2008 Rule comes into force on 1 February 2009.

The Rule improves the quality of fuel consumption information collected from imported vehicles. Vehicle inspectors will be required to check fuel consumption data as part of the process when certifying vehicles for entry into New Zealand.

The standards or technical requirements used to obtain a vehicle's fuel consumption information have not always been provided when the vehicle is first registered in New Zealand. This means there is a risk that inaccurate or unreliable information can be recorded on the Motor Vehicle Register.

Acting Land Transport Safety and Environment General Manager, Leo Mortimer said the Fuel Consumption Information Rule requires importers of light vehicles to provide accurate and reliable fuel consumption information.
It will clarify the legal requirements around the process of collecting the information, and it will provide the power to correct erroneous fuel consumption figures.

“This Rule will help to provide the accurate and reliable information on vehicle fuel economy and fuel consumption. This will support legislation on fuel economy labelling that allows consumers to make informed choices about purchasing an efficient vehicle,” Mr Mortimer said.

The Rule will apply to light vehicles (vehicles with a gross vehicle mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes), manufactured on or after 1 January 2000.

The NZ Transport Agency has developed web-based information and procedures to guide importers through the process of finding fuel consumption information. This will be available on 1 February 2009.

Full details on the Rule can be found on the NZ Transport Agency website.  


Media Contact: John Summers, Communications Adviser, Ministry of Transport 04 439 9086

Read questions and answers on the Rule here (PDF v7.0, 66kb)