This is a request to conduct internet survey research for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA is responsible under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) for developing the fuel economy labels that are posted on window stickers of all new light duty cars and trucks sold in the U.S. and, beginning with the 2011 model year, on all new medium-duty passenger vehicles (a category that includes large sport-utility vehicles and passenger vans).
In 2006 EPA updated how the window sticker fuel economy values are calculated to better reflect typical real-world driving patterns and provide more realistic fuel economy estimates. Beginning in the fall of 2010, increasing market penetration of advanced technology vehicles, in particular plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles, will require new label metrics and presentation to effectively convey information to consumers.
Therefore, EPA has initiated a rulemaking action to update the current fuel economy label to both address the unique nature of advanced technology vehicles as well as to add new information on the label for conventional-gasoline powered vehicles. The proposed rule will ensure that American consumers continue to have the most accurate, meaningful, and useful information available to them with regard to new vehicles sold in the U.S.
Recently, the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) introduced additional new labeling requirements that are to be implemented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). To maximize regulatory efficiency, minimize the burden on manufacturers, and provide the best information possible to American consumers, EPA and NHTSA are conducting a joint rulemaking to redesign the current fuel economy label.
To help the agencies develop a joint label that meets the statutory requirements as well as the policy objectives described above, EPA is currently completing three phases of focus groups and is requesting approval in this Emergency ICR submission to conduct an internet survey that will complement these focus groups. The focus groups solicited information from a diverse group of consumers regarding what information displayed on the fuel economy label will best serve the intended purpose of providing consumers with useful and meaningful information about the fuel efficiency, fuel consumption, fuel cost and environmental impact of the vehicles they are considering purchasing. Phase 3 of the focus groups asked consumers to assist in developing the most effective presentation for the overall fuel economy label for both conventionally-fueled vehicles and for advanced technology vehicles.
The internet-based survey will test the label designs resulting from phase 3 focus groups with a broader audience. The goals of the internet survey are to examine how understandable the new label designs are, and whether the new labels will improve consumers' abilities to select more fuel-efficient vehicles. It will test these questions for both conventional and advanced technology vehicles.
This study plans to use two convenience samples: self-selected U.S. new vehicle purchasers and people who have expressed an intention to purchase a new vehicle by requesting a price quote from a dealer. Because the study is not a probability-based sample, it may not yield estimates representative of the target population, new vehicle buyers. However, even if the results are not representative of the population, the agencies believe that the study design will provide quantitative estimates of differences in consumer responses between various test conditions, and it may be possible to adjust results to reflect differences between the respondents and the target population.
EPA plans to conduct an internet survey to get data regarding the most understandable and compelling fuel economy label design for both conventionally fueled vehicles and advanced technology vehicles. EPA is hopeful that with this emergency ICR approval at least preliminary survey results will be available before the proposal is signed.
The proposed rule will put forward a proposed new fuel economy label design as well as alternative label designs for public comment. The internet survey will test these label designs, developed and tested during focus group research, with a broader audience. Specifically, it will examine how understandable the label designs are, and whether the new labels will improve consumers' abilities to select more fuel-efficient vehicles.
The scope of the internet survey is limited and will involve approximately 6000 people. Detailed burden estimates are presented in the Supporting Statement.
During a meeting with OMB on January 5th of this year discussing the development of EPA's fuel economy label rulemaking, EPA noted the desire to conduct focus groups prior to issuing a proposed rule to ensure that the content and designs are understood and allow consumers to effectively compare the relative energy consumption and environmental benefits of conventional gasoline, hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles. OMB at that meeting urged EPA to consider undertaking more quantitative research, in addition to the focus groups, and EPA seeks to be responsive to OMB's request by conducting a robust internet survey as a follow-up to the focus groups.
EPA seeks this information on an expedited basis for two key reasons, as previously addressed in EPA ICR 2343.01-2343.03. First, manufacturers are developing a wide range of advanced technology vehicles, including Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) and Electric Vehicles (EVs), that will require new labels as early as this fall. Manufacturers are eager to have finalized labels available for these new vehicles and have urged EPA to complete a rulemaking no later than the end of 2010 to insure that labels are available for model year 2012 vehicles (beginning in January 2011). Failure of EPA and NHTSA to complete this rulemaking in a timely manner will create confusion and delay for manufacturers and will also increase consumer confusion and market delays for consumers. Second, EPA's proposed greenhouse gas regulations for light-duty vehicles will be going into effect starting with the 2012 model year, and EPA would like to have a new label design finalized so that 2012 model year vehicles can be equipped with a new label. This may be especially important given the increased focus on greenhouse gas emissions and the likelihood that the new label will have an indication of each vehicle's greenhouse gas emissions performance.
EPA has already issued a formal ICR notice concerning all focus groups and survey activities associated with this fuel economy label rulemaking and the comment period closed on February 1, 2010 (no substantive comments were received). Additionally, EPA is soliciting public comment on the internet survey via a Federal Register notice published on May 12, 2010 (75 Federal Register 26751). The current schedule calls for the internet survey to be conducted as early as June 14 - June 25, but no later than June 25-July 5, 2010. The normal ICR process does not allow enough time for EPA to plan for and conduct this survey.
There is no statutory deadline for the fuel economy rule, but as stated above, EPA believes it is critical to consumers, auto manufacturers, and to the Agencies to complete a rulemaking in time to cover 2012 model year vehicles. To do this, the final rule must be done by the end of the 2010 calendar year. The normal time needed for ICR approval would not provide enough time to conduct the internet survey prior to the need to propose the joint EPA/NHTSA rule this summer.
US Code:
49 USC 32908
Name of Law: Fuel economy information
EPA has started a new rulemaking action that will amend the way in which fuel economy estimates are displayed, particularly for advanced technology vehicles. EPA is focusing on additional metrics beyond MPG, including fuel consumption metrics (gallons/100 miles, kW-hr/100 miles), Cost metrics ($/mi, $/100 miles, monthly fuel cost, annual fuel cost, or 5-year fuel cost) and greenhouse gas metrics.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Supporting_Statement_Part_B_Internet_Survey_5_20_10_final.doc
Internet Survey Research for Improving Fuel Economy Label Design and Content