The Department of Energy (DOE) announced that manufacturers, importers, distributors, dealers, and rebuilders of all public and private road transport vehicles are required to include a Fuel Economy Label (FEL) and Fuel Economy Sticker (FES).
In a briefing, Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick Aquino said the new labeling mandate would begin in the first quarter of 2025 as part of the Vehicle Fuel Economy Labeling Program (VFELP) under Section 17 of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act.
Companies involved in the VFELP system must register their head offices and branches. These registrations are valid for three years. Vehicle registration, covering each model or type, is valid for six years.
"With VFELP, we're putting the power of informed choice into the hands of Filipino consumers," Aquino said.
The DOE emphasized that this program ensures fuel economy data, such as engine fuel economy ratings, are readily accessible and verified at the point of sale (POS).
This verification process aligns with performance labeling requirements set by the DOE, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
“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 added.
The labels include the DOE logo, along with other accessible information and comprehensive data.
The DOE has established the VFELP system to streamline vehicle registration and FEL issuance. This system will also track applications in real-time, providing up-to-date information on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions calculations for vehicles.
“The processing of registrations and labels are completed within seven (7) working days for company and vehicle registrations and three (3) working days for FEL/FES, provided submissions are complete and accurate,” the DOE stated.
It also emphasized that only companies and vehicles with the necessary registrations can obtain FELs and FESs.
Non-compliance with the labeling system will result in fines ranging from P10,000 up to P1 million, depending on the severity of the violation.