Green-car site plays it safe

THE federal government has upgraded its Green Vehicle Guide website to include key safety features alongside the environmental performance of a particular vehicle.

Launched last weekend, the revised website can now show if a vehicle is fitted with electronic stability control and specific airbags (driver, passenger, side torso and side head), alongside the vehicle’s green star rating, annual fuel cost and annual CO2 emissions.

Federal transport minister Anthony Albanese said the upgrade made the website – which according to the government receives around 20,000 hits a month – an even more powerful tool for consumers, “giving them an easy, more comprehensive way to compare the various makes and models currently on the market”.

“Australian car buyers can now make a more informed decision when it comes to protecting their families and the environment,” Mr Albanese said.

This is the second significant upgrade to the website since it was introduced in 2006, with a fuel cost calculator added in July 2008. The website provides information on about 1900 model variants.

The addition of safety information comes as Mr Albanese leads the charge in adopting new vehicle safety and environmental standards in Australia.

Legislation requiring the mandatory fitment of ESC on all new-model passenger vehicles comes into effect from 2011, and from November 2013 all new passenger vehicles sold in Australia (regardless on when they were introduced) will be required to be fitted with the proven life-saving technology.

The government is considering if light commercial vehicles should be covered by the legislation.

It also working on more stringent environmental legislation, including CO2 emissions and the adoption of the Euro 5 and Euro 6 emissions standards from 2012 and 2016 respectively.